Brian Kiprop Kiplagat, 39, is set to be extradited to Britain from Kenya to face questioning in connection with the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Citibank executive Marianne Kilonzi. Kilonzi, 43, was found dead with a fatal head injury at her luxury London riverside flat in Woolwich in January 2025.
Kiplagat was detained on June 10 by immigration officers in Namanga, a border town in southern Kenya, as he attempted to travel to Tanzania on a temporary permit. He had been the subject of a 16-month international manhunt following Kilonzi's death.
Scotland Yard had established that the suspect had fled abroad shortly after Kilonzi was discovered. Neighbors at the Royal Arsenal Riverside development reportedly heard "blood-curdling screams" on the day of her death.
A post-mortem examination determined that Kilonzi died from blunt force trauma to the head. Officers were initially called to her home on Argyll Road following concerns for her well-being.
Kiplagat appeared before the Milimani Law Courts, where prosecutors argued he was a flight risk. They stated he had no fixed address in Kenya, had been moving between various locations, and was in possession of travel documents, some of which were suspected to have been obtained fraudulently. Detectives believe he may still possess the mobile phone used to send a text message to Kilonzi's relative, reportedly describing her death as a "misfortune."
An extradition request submitted by UK authorities has been granted. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kenya confirmed that upon review of the request and supporting evidence, extradition proceedings were ordered.
Kilonzi, who had worked at Citi for over 18 years, transferred to London in June 2023. Her online CV indicates she attended Kenyatta University in Nairobi and held the position of vice-president for treasury and trade solutions at Citibank Kenya before her move. Citi expressed their sadness over the loss of their colleague, extending thoughts to her family and friends.
