A Kenyan man wanted in the United States is expected to be extradited to face sentencing after being convicted over a fatal drunk-driving incident in California.
Sancho Kibutu appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena, where he accepted the extradition request and agreed to comply with the orders issued by the court. The extradition proceedings followed a request by the governments of Kenya and the United States for Kibutu to be surrendered to American authorities.
Kibutu is wanted in California after being convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, contrary to Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code, alongside three special allegations. Court documents indicated that Kibutu had been at large since October 11, 2013, after failing to appear before the Superior Court of California in Madera County for sentencing.
The California court had directed him to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013, but he did not comply with the order. Following his arrest in Kenya, the extradition proceedings were initiated to facilitate his transfer to the United States, where he is expected to be sentenced for the offence.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Magdalene Nduati, with assistance from Principal Prosecution Counsel Njoki and Prosecution Counsel Fatma Shaban.
The DPP said the outcome demonstrates the importance of cooperation between Kenya and other jurisdictions in pursuing individuals required to answer to criminal justice processes.
