A Kenyan national who evaded sentencing in the United States for 13 years following his conviction over a fatal drunk-driving crash has been extradited to California.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Sancho Kibutu was handed over to US authorities in Nairobi and flown to California following a four-week extradition process facilitated by Kenyan courts and law enforcement agencies.

“Mr Kibutu was formally handed over to US authorities in Nairobi by officers attached to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and flown to California following an extradition request made by the US Department of Justice through the US Embassy in Nairobi,” the ODPP said on Friday.

Kibutu is expected to be sentenced following his conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated by the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, under Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code.

Court records indicate that Kibutu, who was then aged 32, was driving along Golden State Boulevard when he crossed a double yellow line and collided with another vehicle.

The crash killed a 16-year-old passenger and left the other vehicle's driver and two additional occupants injured.

He failed to appear for sentencing after he was convicted on September 19, 2013, and remained at large for 13 years. The court later issued a bench warrant on October 28, 2013.

Kibutu was arrested in Nairobi on September 9, 2026, as extradition proceedings between Kenya and the United States got underway.

The ODPP said the extradition demonstrated its commitment to international cooperation in criminal justice and ensuring that individuals wanted for offences in other jurisdictions are brought before the relevant authorities in accordance with the law.