US fugitive Sancho Kibutu will remain at Gigiri Police Station after a Nairobi court rejected his application for bond or cash bail as the United States seeks his return to face sentencing over a fatal drunk-driving conviction.
Kibutu, a Kenyan national, was convicted in California of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated under Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code. He was awaiting sentencing when he allegedly fled the United States.
The prosecution opposed his release, arguing that Kibutu posed a serious flight risk after allegedly remaining on the run for about 13 years.
“He’s a convict, a fugitive for that to say specifically, who has been on the run, as I had mentioned, for 13 years,” the prosecution told the court.
Kibutu asked to be released on bond or cash bail, saying he was willing to comply with any conditions imposed by the court. He also sought more time to respond to the application seeking his return to the United States after receiving the relevant documents from the prosecution.
Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena found that the prosecution had demonstrated compelling reasons to justify his continued detention. The magistrate directed that Kibutu remain at Gigiri Police Station and declined a request to have him transferred to Industrial Area Prison. The court had earlier noted that the formal application had not yet been filed or served on the defence. The prosecution was given two days to file the necessary documents and serve them on Kibutu’s lawyers.
The United States formally requested Kibutu’s extradition on December 3, 2019, through the Office of the Attorney General and the US Department of Justice. According to the request, Kibutu failed to appear before the Superior Court of California, for sentencing on October 28, 2013, after his conviction.
His case will be mentioned on September 25, 2026, when the court is expected to give further directions on the proceedings.
