The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has facilitated the extradition of Sancho Kibutu to the United States, where he is wanted for sentencing 13 years after his conviction for a fatal drunk-driving offence.
In a statement issued on October 23, Kibutu was handed over to US authorities in Nairobi by officers from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) before being flown to California.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has facilitated the extradition of Sancho Kibutu, a Kenyan national wanted in the United States to face sentencing following his conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated,” read part of the statement.
The DPP and other agencies facilitated the four-week extradition process through Kenyan courts after the US Department of Justice requested it through the US Embassy in Nairobi.
A bench warrant was issued on October 28, 2013, but Kibutu remained at large until his arrest in Nairobi on September 9, 2026, as part of extradition proceedings between Kenya and the United States.
DPP Sends Sancho Kibutu to US
Kibutu was convicted by the Superior Court of California in Madera County of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, alongside three special allegations.
According to the extradition request, he had been on the run since October 11, 2013, after failing to appear for sentencing scheduled for October 28, 2013.
” Prior to his extradition, Mr. Kibutu, alias Sancho Kibuto alias Njoroge Kibuto had remained a fugitive for 13 years after failing to appear for sentencing following his conviction in the USA on 19th September 2013,” read part of the statement.
When he appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena on September 10, 2026, Kibutu sought release on bond or cash bail, telling 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 he posed a substantial flight risk because of the outstanding extradition request, the seriousness of the offence, and his previous failure to appear for proceedings in the United States.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu, alongside Prosecution Counsel Njoki Kihara and Abdalla Lyaga, represented the prosecution.
After considering the application, the court declined to grant bail and ordered Kibutu detained at Gigiri Police Station pending further directions.
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What the Case Was About
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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