File image of the three suspects
A Nairobi court has approved the extradition of three Kenyan nationals to the United States to face multiple criminal charges, including cybercrime, wire fraud, and identity theft.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, August 6, Principal Magistrate P.K. Mutai endorsed warrants of arrest against Francis Asanyo, Peter Omari and Elvis Obaigwa.
The warrants were originally issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, on November 15, 2023.
“Principal Magistrate Hon. P.K. Mutai endorsed warrants of arrest against Francis Asanyo, Peter Omari and Elvis Obaigwa. The warrants were issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, on 15th of November 2023,” the ODPP said.
According to the ODPP, the three suspects are wanted in the United States to answer charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting under U.S. law.
The extradition proceedings followed a formal request submitted by the United States on February 26, 2026, through Kenya’s Central Authority, the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice.
The request was presented by Jeffrey M. Olson, Associate Director of the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, at the U.S. Department of Justice.
After reviewing the request and the supporting evidence, the DPP determined that the legal threshold for extradition had been met and subsequently applied to the court for the necessary orders.
The court directed that the three suspects be held at Industrial Area Prison pending their extradition to the United States.
This comes days after an INTERPOL report identified Kenya as one of East Africa’s biggest targets for cybercriminals.
