The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has begun extradition proceedings against a Kenyan fugitive wanted in the United States to face sentencing following his conviction over a fatal drunk-driving offence.
According to a statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the suspect was presented before the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday following his arrest in Runda, Nairobi county.
The suspect is wanted by US authorities pursuant to a formal extradition request dated December 3, 2019, submitted through the Office of the Attorney General and the US Department of Justice.
According to the DPP, he was convicted in the United States of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, contrary to Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code, together with three special allegations.
The extradition request indicates that the suspect had been on the run since October 11, 2013, after failing to comply with an order by the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Madera, requiring him to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013.
"His long period as a fugitive came to an end on 9th September 2026, when he was arrested in Runda pursuant to a warrant issued by the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani on 3rd September 2026," DPP stated in a statement.
He appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena and applied to be released on bond or cash bail.
According to the statement, he indicated that he was willing to surrender his passport and comply with any conditions imposed by the court.
The prosecution, however, opposed the application.
“The Prosecution team argued that [he] posed a substantial flight risk, particularly given the outstanding extradition request, the nature of the offence and his previous conduct of absconding from proceedings in the United States,” the ODPP said.
The court subsequently declined to release the suspect on bond or cash bail and ordered that he be detained at Gigiri Police Station pending further directions.
The ODPP said the extradition proceedings arise from the formal request by the United States and relate to the outstanding sentencing proceedings following his conviction in California.
The matter will be mentioned on September 15, 2026, for further directions.
The ODPP is pursuing the extradition proceedings on behalf of the Kenyan State following the request by US authorities.
