Fugitive wanted for murder in US caught after jailbreak in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya

A Kenyan wanted by police in the US state of Massachusetts for the alleged murder of his girlfriend has been apprehended.

The fugitive, Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kang'ethe, was arrested a week after an audacious escape from custody last week.

Authorities confirmed his arrest early Wednesday morning, bringing an end to a nationwide manhunt.

"The escapee was taken to custody last night following a scrupulous intelligence-led operation within Ngong township in Kajiado County," said a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The arrest unfolded just after midnight on Tuesday, with a contingent of 11 officers who successfully tracked down Kang'ethe and took him into custody.

He was hiding at a house in Ngong township, located some 24 kilometers (about 15 miles) southwest of the capital Nairobi.

Kang'ethe is awaiting extradition to the United States to face first-degree murder charges at the Chelsea District Court in Massachusetts.

He is accused of fatally stabbing Maggie Mbitu, 31, a seasoned nurse, and leaving her body in a car at Boston’s Logan Airport last November.

Before his escape, Kang'ethe had appeared before a magistrate on Feb. 1 for extradition proceedings.