Kenya and China to soon start to extradite prisoners if authorities agree

Kenya and China may soon start to extradite prisoners if and when the authorities agree on various issues on transfer of prisoners.

There are tens of Kenyans in Chinese prisons and a similar number of Chinese prisoners in Kenyan prisons.

A delegation of Chinese Law Society of Kenya visited the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko in Nairobi and discussed the issue.

The delegation, which was led by Vice President and Secretary General of China Law Society, Bao Shaokun, discussed various issues relating to closer working relations between the two jurisdictions.

Shaokun said they will work closely with the DPP on issues relating to extradition, mutual legal assistance and transfer of prisoners between the two countries, a statement from the DPP said.

Vice President and Secretary General of China Law Society Bao Shaokun receives a booklet from DPP Keriako Tobiko when the former led a delegation in Nairobi. The two discussed issues of extradition and mutual legal assistance and transfer of prisoners. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

He also hailed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for achievements met so far since it was established in 2010.

On his part, Tobiko underscored the important need to exchange programmes between the two agencies to enable judicial officers and prosecutors from China understand legal systems in Kenya and vice  versa for effective administration of justice.

Most Kenyans in Chinese jails were arrested on drug trafficking charges.

Last December, some 76 Chinese were arrested in Nairobi for cyber crime related issues.

China has since asked Kenya to hand over the 76 of its citizens.

The suspects arrested in Nairobi had apparently stolen close to Sh1.5 billion from victims in China through electronic fraud, Chinese authorities revealed as they pushed Kenya to have them extradited.

The 76 Chinese and one Thai national were arrested at Runda estate for operating an illegal telecommunications system.

One of the houses from which they had been operating was gutted in a fire during which one person, also Chinese, was killed.

The suspects are still at the Industrial Area remand prisons as the case continues in court.