A Kenyan man, Sancho Kibutu who spent 13 years on the run after failing to appear in court for sentencing over a fatal road crash in the United States has been extradited to California.

Sancho Kibutu was handed over to US authorities in Nairobi after Kenyan agencies completed the extradition process through the courts, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has announced.

Kibutu, also known as Sancho Kibuto and Njoroge Kibuto, was arrested in Nairobi on September 9, 2026. The extradition process, coordinated by the ODPP and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), took four weeks.

His case dates back to September 19, 2013, when he was convicted in California of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. He failed to appear in court for sentencing, prompting the issuance of a bench warrant on October 28, 2013.

According to court records, Kibutu was driving along Golden State Boulevard when he crossed a double yellow line and collided with another vehicle.

The crash claimed the life of a 16-year-old passenger, while the driver and two other occupants of the vehicle sustained injuries.

Kibutu remained at large for 13 years after failing to return to court following his conviction. His arrest in Nairobi paved the way for extradition proceedings, which have now brought him under the custody of US authorities.

He is expected to face sentencing in California over the 2013 conviction.

The ODPP said the extradition demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to working with other countries in the administration of criminal justice.

The office noted that it continues to collaborate with investigative agencies and international partners to ensure that people wanted in other jurisdictions are surrendered through the established legal process.

The extradition follows proceedings before Kenyan courts, which handled the legal process required to facilitate his transfer to the United States.