NAIROBI, Kenya – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has urged a Kenyan court to order the extradition of Brian Kiprop Kiplagat to the United Kingdom, where he is wanted over the alleged murder of Kenyan banker Marianne Kilonzi and seven other criminal counts.
Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu, who is leading the prosecution, told the court that British authorities want Kiplagat to face charges arising from alleged offences committed in Woolwich, in southeast London, between January 12 and January 28, 2025.
The case involves eight counts, including murder, manslaughter, two counts of perverting the course of justice and four counts of fraud by false representation.
The prosecution urged the court to focus on whether the legal requirements for extradition had been met, arguing that the Kenyan proceedings were not intended to determine Kiplagat’s guilt or innocence.
DPP Opposes Defence Evidence
Ondimu opposed an attempt by the defence to introduce evidence challenging aspects of the extradition request.
He argued that the merits of the allegations should be determined by the courts in the jurisdiction where the alleged offences occurred, rather than being tried afresh during the extradition proceedings in Kenya.
The prosecution maintained that the court’s task was to establish whether the statutory requirements for surrendering Kiplagat to British authorities had been satisfied.
The Westminster Magistrates’ Court issued warrants against Kiplagat in connection with the eight counts, which British authorities want him to answer.
Earlier proceedings at the Milimani Law Courts had cleared a key procedural hurdle after a Kenyan court allowed the endorsement of two British arrest warrants, enabling the extradition process to proceed under Kenyan law.
Laundry Beads and Missing Phone Among Allegations
According to the extradition documents presented by the prosecution, the counts of perverting the course of justice relate to allegations that Kiplagat placed laundry beads on Kilonzi and removed her mobile phone from her residence.
The four fraud counts concern alleged unauthorised transfers of money from Kilonzi’s bank accounts into accounts held by Kiplagat, as well as the alleged unlawful use of her credit card.
The charges form part of the case British authorities want to pursue against him.
How the Relationship Began
The prosecution told the court that Kiplagat and Kilonzi began their relationship in January 2024 after meeting on WhatsApp.
By September of that year, he had reportedly moved into Kilonzi’s residence.
The alleged offences that form the basis of the extradition request occurred in January 2025 in Woolwich, where Kilonzi was living.
Kilonzi’s death subsequently triggered an investigation by British authorities, leading to the request for Kiplagat to be returned to the UK to face the charges.
DPP Assures Court Over Suspect’s Rights
The prosecution also assured the court that Kiplagat’s constitutional rights were being safeguarded during the proceedings, including his access to healthcare.
It further told the court that property unrelated to the extradition case would be returned to him.
The DPP argued that extradition would allow the allegations to be addressed through the appropriate judicial process in the UK while ensuring that the applicable legal safeguards were respected.
The court is expected to mention the matter on November 5, 2026, before delivering its ruling on November 19.
