The suspect in the death of a woman whose body was found at Boston Logan International Airport has escaped from authorities in Kenya, police said Thursday.
Kevin Kangethe, 40, escaped from the Nairobi Police Department and into a privately owned minivan, which is the main source of transportation in Kenya.
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Kangethe had been in custody since Jan. 30. He was awaiting extradition on a warrant out of Massachusetts that alleged he killed his girlfriend — Margaret "Maggie" Mbitu — back in October and left her body in a car at Logan airport.
The Nairobi police chief said they have arrested the officers who were on duty when Kangethe escaped.
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Loved ones still reeling from Mbitu's murder expressed horror that her alleged killer is free.
"We loved her. She meant everything to us. And somebody took her away from us," cousin Joel Muhoro said Thursday evening. "It's very painful. But what is even more painful is to hear that somebody is not being held accountable."
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, whose office will prosecute Kangethe's case in Boston, said in a statement Thursday that he was aware of Kangethe's escape.
"It is our hope that Kenyan law enforcement will do their utmost to recapture Kangethe so that we can continue seeking justice for Margaret Mbitu and her family," he said.
"They had him. They told us they had him. And they let him walk out," Muhoro said. "So who can we trust? Who can we trust?"
Kangethe had his next court hearing scheduled for Friday, but now the search for him begins once again.
According to The Associated Press, police corruption has been a problem in Kenya for decades, and his escape raises suspicion that bribes were paid for his freedom.
Massachusetts officials had worked with Kenya authorities for three months before they located and arrested Kangethe at a nightclub last month.
