The boyfriend of a Citibank executive who was found beaten to death in her flat in London has been arrested after more than a year on the run.
Marianne Kilonzi, 43, who was vice president of trade and working capital sales at Citibank, was found dead at her home in Woolwich on January 17 last year.
Brian Kiprop Kipglagat – the subject of a 16-month international manhunt – was detained by immigration officers on June 10 as he attempted to enter Tanzania from Namanga, a border town in southern Kenya. He is now facing extradition to the UK in connection with her death.
Kipglagat had attempted to travel to Tanzania on a temporary permit, but his movements were being tracked by undercover officers in Kenya at the request of UK police.
He appeared at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on June 12 for a hearing in relation to the alleged murder, local media reported.
“The United Kingdom, through the Metropolitan Police Service, requested assistance from Kenyan authorities in locating and arresting the suspect, believing that he had entered Kenyan territory,” the prosecution was quoted as saying by the Kenyan Diaspora Media.
Prosecutor Joyce Olajo told the court the suspect should remain in custody because he posed a flight risk. “I therefore urge the court to deny him bond and direct that he be detained at the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) due to the seriousness of the offence,” she said.
The prosecution also claimed he has no fixed address in Kenya and has been moving between various locations. They also claimed he allegedly described his girlfriend’s death as a “misfortune” in a text message to one of her relatives after she was killed.
Authorities also said he holds multiple travel documents, some of which are suspected to have been obtained fraudulently, and the mobile phone with which he sent the message.
The Metropolitan Police were called to Ms Kilonzi’s address following a report of concerns for her welfare.
Blunt force trauma and head injury were given as the cause of death at a post-mortem examination.
The force said at the time that officers believed Ms Kilonzi knew her attacker and that one line of inquiry was that the suspect had fled the country.
Article continues below
Following her death, a Citibank spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. Our thoughts are with Marianne’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Kenyan prosecutors are understood to be awaiting a formal extradition request from UK authorities.