Kenya has extradited Sancho Kibutu, a Kenyan national who had remained at large for more than 13 years, to the United States to face sentencing following his conviction over a fatal road accident in California.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) announced on Friday, October 23, 2026, that Kibutu had been handed over to American authorities in Nairobi before being flown to California.
The extradition followed a formal request from the United States Department of Justice through the US Embassy in Nairobi. Kenyan authorities worked with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and other relevant agencies to complete the process.
According to the ODPP, the extradition proceedings were conducted through Kenyan courts and took approximately four weeks.
Arrested More Than a Decade Later
Kibutu, also known as Njoroge Kibuto, had been wanted in the United States after failing to appear in court for sentencing following his conviction in 2013.
Records cited by the ODPP indicate that he was convicted on September 19, 2013, by the Superior Court of California in Madera County.
After he failed to return to court for sentencing, a bench warrant was issued against him on October 28, 2013.
He remained at large until his arrest in Nairobi on September 9, 2026, as part of extradition proceedings between Kenya and the United States.
His arrest allowed authorities to begin the process of transferring him to the jurisdiction where the outstanding sentencing proceedings were pending.
Fatal Crash That Led to Conviction
According to court records cited by the ODPP, Kibutu was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated under Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code.
The records state that Kibutu was 32 years old when he was driving along Golden State Boulevard in California.
He reportedly crossed a double yellow line and collided with another vehicle.
The crash killed a 16-year-old passenger who was travelling in the other vehicle. The driver and two additional occupants were also injured.
The fatal collision led to criminal proceedings that resulted in Kibutu’s conviction. However, his failure to appear for sentencing left the case unresolved for more than a decade.
His extradition now enables the American authorities to continue with the outstanding sentencing process.
Kenya and US Strengthen Legal Cooperation
The case highlights cooperation between Kenya and the United States in handling criminal matters that cross national borders.
The ODPP said the transfer was carried out through the established legal process, with Kenyan law enforcement agencies working alongside American authorities.
Extradition allows a person wanted in another country to be transferred to face relevant legal proceedings, subject to the laws and procedures governing the process.
