He was arrested on September 9, 2026 in Runda, Nairobi, nearly 13 years after going on the run.The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured an extradition order for a Kenyan wanted in the United States to face sentencing following his conviction over a fatal drunk-driving crash.
The DPP said the man was arrested pursuant to an extradition request by the governments of the United States and Kenya following his conviction in 2013.
The request states that the man had been on the run since October 11, 2013, after failing to comply with an order by the Superior Court of California, county of Madera, requiring him to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013.
On Friday, the fugitive appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena at the Milimani Law Courts, where he surrendered to the extradition request and indicated his willingness to comply with the court's orders.
“He is expected to be surrendered to the United States to face sentencing following his conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, contrary to Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code, together with three special allegations,” the DPP said in a statement.
The extradition will allow the man to be returned to California to face sentencing nearly 13 years after he failed to appear before the court.
Media reports indicate that the conviction arose from an August 26, 2011, head-on collision along Golden State Boulevard in California.
The man, then aged 32, crossed the center line while speeding under the influence of alcohol and collided with an oncoming vehicle, killing a 16-year-old passenger and seriously injuring the driver and two other occupants.
A California jury convicted him on April 30, 2013, after which he was scheduled to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013.
However, prosecutors said he fled the United States on October 11, 2013 and returned to Kenya via Dubai.
He was eventually arrested on September 9, 2026 in Runda, Nairobi, nearly 13 years after going on the run.
Kenya and the United States operate under an extradition framework derived from a 1931 treaty between the United States and Great Britain, which continues to apply between Kenya and the US.
The treaty provides for the reciprocal surrender of people accused or convicted of serious offences, subject to conditions including the principle of double criminality, meaning the conduct for which they are sought constitute an offence in both countries.
The DPP said the successful extradition demonstrates the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' commitment to international cooperation in ensuring fugitives wanted to face criminal justice are brought before the courts.
