A 13-year escape from the US justice system has come to an end after a Kenyan fugitive wanted over a fatal drunk-driving conviction was arrested in Runda, Nairobi, and placed in custody as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) begins extradition proceedings.
The suspect, who was convicted in California of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, was arrested on September 9, 2026, following a warrant issued by the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani on September 3.
He was presented before the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, where the DPP sought to keep him in custody as it pursues his extradition to the United States.
The case dates back to October 11, 2013, when the suspect went on the run after failing to attend a sentencing hearing in California. He had been directed by the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Madera, to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013.
US authorities later formally sought his extradition in a request dated December 3, 2019, submitted through the Office of the Attorney General and the US Department of Justice.
The request relates to his conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated under Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code, together with three special allegations.
"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.
The suspect appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena and asked the court to release him on bond or cash bail.
He offered to surrender his passport and said he would observe any conditions set by the court if granted his freedom while the extradition case is heard.
The prosecution rejected the request, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the case made him a high flight risk.
“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.
Magistrate Nyangena declined to grant bond or cash bail and ordered that the suspect be held at Gigiri Police Station pending further directions from the court.
The ODPP said the extradition proceedings are based on the formal request from the US and are linked to the pending sentencing process arising from the California conviction.
The prosecution is handling the case on behalf of the Kenyan State following the request by US authorities.
The matter will be mentioned on September 15, 2026, when the court is expected to give further directions on the extradition proceedings.