Editor's Review
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has moved to extradite a Kenyan fugitive wanted in the United States of America to face sentencing following his conviction over a fatal drunk-driving offence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has moved to extradite a Kenyan fugitive wanted in the United States of America to face sentencing following his conviction over a fatal drunk-driving offence.
In a statement on Thursday, September 10, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it presented Sancho Kibutu before the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi to commence extradition proceedings following his arrest.
"The DPP today presented Sancho Kibutu before the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi to commence extradition proceedings following his arrest in Runda, Nairobi County," the statement read.
Kibutu is wanted by United States authorities pursuant to a formal extradition request dated December 3, 2019, submitted through the Office of the Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice.
"He was convicted in the United States of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated, contrary to Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code, together with three special allegations," the statement added.
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According to the extradition request, Kibutu had been on the run since October 11, 2013, after failing to comply with an order issued by the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Madera, requiring him to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013.
His more than 13-year period as a fugitive ended after Kenyan authorities arrested him in Nairobi in connection with the extradition proceedings.
"His long period as a fugitive came to an end on 9th September 2026, when he was arrested in Runda pursuant to a warrant issued by the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani on 3rd September 2026," the statement further read.
Kibutu later appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena, where he sought to be released on bond or cash bail.
He told the court that he was willing to surrender his passport and comply with any conditions imposed by the court.
The DPP opposed his release, arguing that Kibutu posed a substantial flight risk because of the outstanding extradition request, the nature of the offence and his previous conduct of absconding from proceedings in the United States.
"After considering the application, the court declined to release Kibutu and ordered that he be detained at Gigiri Police Station pending further directions," the statement noted.
The matter will be mentioned on September 15, 2026, for further directions as the extradition proceedings continue.
This comes days after a Nairobi court denied bond to 39-year-old Chinese national Chen Guang, alias Alex, who is wanted in Uganda over alleged fraud involving UGX4,533,379,400, (Ksh151 million).
In a statement on Thursday, September 3, the ODPP said Guang will remain in custody as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) pursues his extradition to Uganda, where he is wanted to face 30 counts of forgery and one count of theft.
The court ruled that the prosecution had presented sufficient grounds to justify his continued detention.
"The court today found that the prosecution had demonstrated compelling reasons to warrant the continued detention of Chen Guang, alias Alex, pending the hearing and determination of extradition proceedings against him," the statement read.
According to the ODPP, the allegations against Guang stem from his time working as a cashier at Diamond Steel Uganda Limited, where he is accused of manipulating financial documents to facilitate the alleged offences.
"The prosecution told the court that Guang allegedly manipulated weighbridge bills and payment vouchers while working as a cashier at Diamond Steel Uganda Limited.
"He is accused of exploiting his access to the company’s payment documentation and financial processes to facilitate the alleged offences," the statement added.
According to the ODPP, the extradition proceedings were initiated after the Government of Uganda formally requested Kenya’s assistance in securing Guang’s surrender to face the criminal charges in Uganda.
The request was received by the Director of Public Prosecutions on June 10, 2026.
"The request, dated 18th of April 2025, was transmitted through the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice and sought Kenya’s assistance in endorsing and enforcing a Ugandan warrant of arrest and facilitating Guang’s surrender to Uganda to face the charges," the statement further read.
