Nairobi murder and why East African borders no longer safe havens for fugitives

Collins Kiplagat Bett and Pius Mbugua, suspects in the murder of researcher Dr. Victoria Mutiso, were arrested in Kampala, Uganda, on August 2, 2026. Their capture highlighted increased collaboration among law enforcement and judicial authorities in East African countries to track criminals. MBS Ramadhan Abubakar, president of the East Africa Law Society, emphasized that crossing a border does not end a criminal case but changes the legal process that must be followed.