Nearly 13 years after disappearing ahead of a sentencing hearing in California, Sancho Kibutu has been arrested in Nairobi and is now facing extradition proceedings to the United States.
Kibutu was picked up in Runda on September 9, 2026, after a warrant was issued by the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani. His arrest follows a longstanding request by US authorities seeking his return to California.
The case dates back to 2013, when Kibutu was convicted by the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated under Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code. The conviction also carried three special allegations.
Despite the conviction, Kibutu did not return to court for sentencing. According to the extradition documents, he was supposed to appear before the California court on October 28, 2013, but had already gone into hiding from October 11.
The United States subsequently made a formal request for his extradition on December 3, 2019, through the Office of the Attorney General and the US Department of Justice.
After his arrest, Kibutu was brought before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena at the Milimani Law Courts as Kenya began handling the extradition request.
Rather than remain in custody as the proceedings continue, Kibutu asked the court to grant him bond or cash bail. He offered to hand over his passport and comply with conditions set by the court.
His request was opposed on the basis that he was a flight risk. The prosecution pointed to his history of failing to appear before the US court as an indication that he could again evade the legal process if released.
The magistrate declined to grant him bail and ordered that he be held at Gigiri Police Station.
Kibutu will remain in custody as the court considers the extradition request. The matter will return before the court on September 15, 2026, for further directions.
The proceedings will determine the next steps in the US request to have him returned to California, where the outstanding sentencing process remains unresolved following his conviction.
