NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 10 — The United States has sought the extradition of a Kenyan national convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter in California, with the case now before a Milimani court.

📻 Breaking It Down

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has been directed to file a formal application seeking extradition orders against Sancho Kibutu, also known as Sancho Kibuto and Njoroge Kibutu.

Trial Magistrate Theresa Nyangena directed the prosecution to formally file and serve the extradition application, saying this would enable the accused and other parties to understand the basis of the request and respond to it.

The ODPP told the court that it had received a request from the United States seeking Kibutu’s extradition after he was convicted in absentia on April 30, 2013.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to documents presented in court, Kibutu was facing one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, contrary to Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code.

The prosecution said Kibutu fled the United States on September 11, 2013, shortly before a superior court in California was expected to deliver its judgment.

He has allegedly remained outside the United States for about 13 years.

The prosecution had asked the court to order that Kibutu be remanded at the Industrial Area Remand Prison as the extradition process got under way.

His lawyer, Mbiu Kamau, opposed the request, arguing that his client had neither been charged nor convicted in Kenya and therefore should not be remanded at the facility.

Kamau told the court that the ODPP should first file the formal extradition application and serve it on the defence.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya