Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has urged a Nairobi court to order the extradition of Brian Kiprop Kiplagat, a Kenyan fugitive wanted in the UK for murder. Kiplagat is accused of killing his girlfriend, Marianne Kilonzi, in Woolwich, London, between January 12 and 28, 2025. The prosecution submitted that the extradition court's role is to determine whether the legal requirements for surrender have been met.
The court heard that Kiplagat is wanted in the UK over the death of Kilonzo, a Citibank executive who was found dead at her flat in Woolwich, south-east London, on January 17, 2025. A post-mortem examination concluded that she died from blunt force trauma to the head. The Westminster Magistrates' Court issued warrants against Kiplagat in connection with eight counts, including murder, manslaughter, and four counts of fraud by false representation.
Principal Magistrate Caroline Mugo heard from prosecution that Kiplagat's mobile phone is crucial evidence in the matter and is being retained as part of a mutual legal assistance request from British authorities. The prosecution argued that the extradition court's role is limited to confirming Kiplagat's identity and determining whether the request is political, and that it should not assess the evidence or merits of the murder allegations.
Kiplagat, who was not represented by a lawyer, opposed the extradition, stating that he had reviewed the extradition file transmitted by the requesting state and found no request for Kenya to investigate or hold his phone. He challenged the phone's retention and asked to be taken to collect his identity card. Magistrate Mugo directed the investigating officer to independently confirm that the ID card is ready before making arrangements for its collection.
Kiplagat was arrested on June 10, 2026, at the Namanga border post while attempting to cross into Tanzania using a temporary travel permit. Prosecutors told the court that he had no fixed address in Kenya and had been moving between locations, and that he was found in possession of multiple travel documents, some suspected to have been fraudulently obtained.
The underlying case concerns the death of Kilonzo, a 43-year-old Kenyan who had worked at Citi for more than 18 years before transferring to London in 2023. The court will rule on the extradition matter on November 19, 2026. The prosecution prayed that the court reiterate its earlier submissions on the surrender and that Kiplagat be extradited to the UK to face murder charges.
The court heard that Kiplagat's constitutional rights and healthcare are protected, and non-evidentiary property will be returned. The DPP's office submitted that Kiplagat's surrender to the UK is warranted, given that he is accused of murdering a fellow Kenyan and escaped back to Kenya after the alleged crime.
Key points
- Kiplagat faces eight counts, including murder, manslaughter, and four counts of fraud by false representation.
- The court will rule on the extradition matter on November 19, 2026.
- Kiplagat's mobile phone is crucial evidence in the matter and is being retained as part of a mutual legal assistance request from British authorities.
