The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has urged the Milimani Law Courts to order the extradition of Kenyan national Brian Kiprop Kiplagat to the United Kingdom to face murder charges.
During submissions before the court, the prosecution Counsel Dancun Ondimu argued that the extradition court’s mandate is limited to determining the suspect’s identity and whether the offences for which his surrender is sought are political in nature.
The prosecution opposed Kiplagat’s attempt to introduce evidence challenging aspects of the extradition request, arguing that the court was not conducting a trial and should not examine the merits of the allegations against him.
The DPP told the court that Kiplagat is wanted over allegations of murdering a fellow Kenyan and claimed that he returned to Kenya after the alleged offence was committed.
On the issue of his mobile phone, the prosecution said the device was also subject to a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request and formed part of the evidence in the ongoing investigations.
The prosecution further assured the court that Kiplagat’s constitutional rights were being protected, noting that he had access to healthcare and that property not connected to the extradition proceedings would be returned to him.
The court was also informed that a copy of Kiplagat’s identity card was available through the investigating officer. Kiplagat asked to be escorted to Lumar Centre to collect the document after confirming that it was ready.
The court indicated that the investigating officer would verify the status of the identity card before arrangements were made for its collection.
The prosecution maintained that sufficient grounds had been presented to warrant Kiplagat’s surrender to the United Kingdom to face the charges.
Kiplagat is wanted in the UK over charges including murder, manslaughter, perverting the course of justice and fraud by false representation.
