Kenyan Man Faces Extradition to the US Nearly 13 Years After Fleeing Sentencing

Kenyan authorities have arrested a Kenyan national who fled the United States nearly 13 years ago after being convicted in a fatal drink-driving case in California.

The man was arrested in Runda, an affluent suburb of Nairobi, on 9 September, ending a manhunt that began in 2013. He was later presented before the Milimani Law Courts, where extradition proceedings were formally started.

Court documents show that he was convicted in California of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, an offence under Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code. The law applies to unlawful killings caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs who act with gross negligence. The conviction included three additional allegations.

The man was due to appear before the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, on 28 October 2013 for sentencing. He left the United States days before the hearing, however, and remained outside the country.

The US Department of Justice submitted a formal extradition request through Kenya’s Attorney General in December 2019. The case remained unresolved until September 2026, when a warrant issued by the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court led to his arrest.

When he appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena, the accused applied for bail and offered to surrender his passport and comply with strict conditions. Prosecutors, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu, opposed the application, citing his previous decision to abscond and the ongoing extradition proceedings.

The court denied the application, finding that his past conduct indicated a risk of flight. He was remanded at Gigiri Police Station pending further proceedings.
The case will be mentioned on 15 September, when the court is expected to issue directions on the extradition proceedings.