The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has initiated extradition proceedings against a Kenyan fugitive wanted in the United States to face sentencing following his conviction over a fatal drunk-driving offence.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said on Thursday, September 10, that Sancho Kibutu was presented before the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi after being arrested in Runda.
Kibutu is wanted by US authorities under a formal extradition request dated December 3, 2019, which was submitted through the Office of the Attorney General and the US Department of Justice.
According to the ODPP, Kibutu was convicted in the United States of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated under Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code, alongside three special allegations.
The extradition request states that Kibutu went into hiding on October 11, 2013, after failing to comply with an order issued by the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, requiring him to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013.
His 13-year stint as a fugitive came to an end on September 9, 2026, when Kenyan authorities arrested him in Runda pursuant to a warrant issued by the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court on September 3.
Kibutu was subsequently arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena, where he applied for release on bond or cash bail.
He told the court that he was prepared to surrender his passport and comply with any conditions imposed as part of his release.
However, the DPP opposed the application, citing Kibutu’s alleged flight risk, the pending extradition request, the seriousness of the offence and his previous failure to appear before US authorities for sentencing.
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The court declined to release Kibutu and ordered that he remain in custody at Gigiri Police Station pending further directions.
The case will return to court on September 15, 2026, when further directions on the extradition proceedings are expected.
The case comes days after a Nairobi court also denied bond to 39-year-old Chinese national Chen Guang, alias Alex, who is wanted in Uganda over alleged fraud involving UGX4.53 billion, equivalent to approximately KSh151 million.
The ODPP said Guang would remain in custody as Kenya processes Uganda’s request for his extradition to face 30 counts of forgery and one count of theft.
Ugandan authorities allege that Guang committed the offences while working as a cashier at Diamond Steel Uganda Limited, where he is accused of manipulating weighbridge bills and payment vouchers.
The extradition request was formally submitted to Kenya after the Ugandan government sought assistance in securing Guang’s surrender. The request, dated April 18, 2025, was received by the DPP on June 10, 2026, through the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice.