The three will remain in custody at Industrial Area Prison as arrangements for their extradition are finalised/FILE
A Nairobi court has approved the extradition of three Kenyan nationals to the United States to face criminal charges relating to alleged cybercrime and fraud offences.
Principal Magistrate P.K. Mutai endorsed warrants of arrest against Francis Asanyo, Peter Omari and Elvis Obaigwa, who are wanted by the United States authorities.
The warrants were issued by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, on November 15, 2023.
The three are wanted to face charges including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting, under US law.
The extradition proceedings followed a formal request by the United States government submitted to Kenya on February 26, 2026, through the country’s Central Authority, the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice.
The request was made by Jeffrey M. Olson, Associate Director of the Office of International Affairs in the Criminal Division of the US Department of Justice.
Upon receiving the request and accompanying evidence, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed the material and confirmed that the legal requirements for extradition had been met.
The DPP subsequently moved to court seeking the necessary orders to facilitate the surrender of the three suspects to US authorities.
Following consideration of the application, the court issued the required orders and directed that the three be held at Industrial Area Prison pending their extradition to the United States.
The case demonstrates the growing cooperation between Kenyan and US authorities in dealing with transnational crimes, particularly offences involving digital systems, financial fraud and identity theft.
Cybercrime cases frequently cross national borders, requiring law enforcement agencies in different jurisdictions to share information and pursue suspects beyond the country where alleged offences occurred.
The extradition process provides a legal mechanism through which a person wanted to face criminal proceedings in another jurisdiction can be surrendered after the requesting country satisfies the requirements established under applicable law.
The prosecution was led by Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, assisted by Principal Prosecution Counsel Victor Owiti and Prosecution Counsel Fatma Shaban.
The three will remain in custody at Industrial Area Prison as arrangements for their extradition to the US are undertaken.
