The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has facilitated the extradition of Kenyan national Sancho Kibutu to the United States to face sentencing following his conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
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 ODPP said the extradition was approved following a request by the US Department of Justice to the American Embassy in Nairobi. The matter took 4 weeks through Kenyan courts.
Kibutu, also known as Sancho Kibuto and Njoroge Kibuto, had remained a fugitive for 13 years after failing to appear for sentencing following his conviction on September 19, 2013. A bench warrant was subsequently issued on October 28, 2013.
He was taken into custody in Nairobi on 9 September 2026 on the application for his extradition.
Based on court documents, the Madera County Superior Court found Kibutu guilty of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, in violation of Section 191. 5(a) of the California Penal Code.
The case stems from a two, vehicle crash along Golden State Boulevard at the intersection of Schulte Road when Kibutu, then 32, crossed a double yellow line and struck another car. A 16, year, old passenger was killed; the two other occupants and the driver of the vehicle that was struck were injured.
Despite his conviction, Kibutu failed to appear for sentencing and remained at large until he was eventually arrested in Kenya.
DPP said the extradition was a further indication of Kenya’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with other countries in the administration of criminal justice and in the apprehension of persons wanted in other jurisdiction.