The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has started extradition proceedings against Kenyan fugitive Sancho Kibutu, who is wanted in the United States to face sentencing over a fatal drunk-driving conviction.
In a statement on September 10, the DPP said that Kibutu was presented before the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on Thursday, September 10, 2026, after his arrest in Runda on Wednesday.
US authorities are seeking his extradition under a formal request dated December 3, 2019, which was submitted through the Office of the Attorney General and the US Department of Justice.
“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 DPP today presented Sancho Kibutu before the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi to commence extradition proceedings following his arrest in Runda, Nairobi County,” read part of the statement.
DPP Seeks to Send Kenyan Fugitive to US
Kibutu was convicted in California of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated under the California Penal Code, alongside three special allegations.
According to the extradition request, he had been on the run since October 11, 2013, after failing to appear before the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, for sentencing scheduled for October 28, 2013.
His arrest followed a warrant issued by the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani on September 3, 2026.
Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena, Kibutu asked to be released on bond or cash bail. He told the court he was willing to surrender his passport and comply with any conditions imposed.
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However, the prosecution opposed his release, arguing that he posed a substantial flight risk given the outstanding extradition request, the seriousness of the offence and his previous decision to abscond from proceedings in the US.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu, assisted by Prosecution Counsel Njoki Kihara and Abdalla Lyaga, represented the prosecution.
After considering the application, the court declined to release Kibutu and ordered him detained at Gigiri Police Station pending further directions.
The case will be mentioned on September 15, 2026, for further directions.
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Background of Case
The case dates back to August 2011, when Sancho Kibutu was involved in a fatal road crash in Madera County, California.
According to a report by ABC7, Kibutu was 32 years old at the time and was driving on Golden State Boulevard when he crossed the double yellow line and crashed into another vehicle.
A 16-year-old passenger in the other vehicle was killed, while the driver and two other passengers were injured and taken to hospital.
Kibutu was later convicted of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated.
He failed to appear for sentencing in October 2013 and remained a fugitive for 13 years before his arrest in Runda on September 9, 2026.
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