National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has instructed the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee to take action regarding a Kenyan woman who has been sentenced to death in Vietnam.
His directive came after Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege raised concerns in Parliament on Friday, March 14, urging the government to intervene.
In response, Wetang’ula assigned the committee’s Vice-Chair, Bashir Abdullah, to engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and present a report on the case once Parliament resumes.
“Bashir, gather all necessary information, liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and keep the questioner updated. Even though Parliament is on recess, committees remain active. Once you receive a response, present it in the House on the first sitting day after recess,” Wetang’ula instructed.
Urgent Call for Government Action
Sabina Chege emphasized the urgency of the matter, stressing that the committee must act swiftly and outline the steps the government is taking to help the woman.
She also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact the victim’s family and ensure she is safely reunited with her loved ones in Kenya.
“The committee should reach out to the Ministry immediately because this is a Kenyan citizen facing a death sentence, and the deadline for action may have already passed.
I request that this matter be promptly escalated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so they can intervene and engage with the victim’s family,” she stated.
Additionally, Chege pointed out the need for the government to educate Kenyans on how they can seek assistance from the authorities when facing similar situations abroad.
“The committee should also clarify whether there are foreign policies in place to guide Kenyans working abroad, especially those recruited through agencies.
They should be informed about their rights, expectations, and how to contact Kenyan embassies when in trouble,” she added.
Kenyan Woman Sentenced for Drug Trafficking
Reports from Vietnam on Friday, March 7, confirmed that the Kenyan woman, identified only as Nduta, had been convicted for drug trafficking. Vietnam is known for having some of the harshest drug laws in the world, often imposing severe penalties for such offenses.
Nduta was arrested at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City after authorities discovered over 2kg of illegal substances hidden in her suitcase during an immigration check.
Investigations revealed that a man in Kenya had hired her to transport the suitcase to Laos in July 2023. Upon delivering it to a woman in Laos, she was expected to return with unspecified goods.
For her role, she was paid $1,300 (approximately Ksh167,895 at current exchange rates).
During her trial, Nduta insisted she was unaware that the suitcase contained drugs. However, prosecutors dismissed her defense, arguing that she was attempting to avoid accountability. The court found her guilty and sentenced her to death.
Parliamentary Committee to Act
Following Wetang’ula’s directive, Bashir Abdullah confirmed that the committee would act swiftly. He assured that they would engage the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the first week after Parliament resumes to seek a response as soon as possible.
“I will obtain all relevant statements and forward them to the Ministry immediately so we can secure a response even before Parliament resumes,” Bashir stated.
The case has sparked concern among lawmakers and the public, with many calling for urgent government intervention to save Nduta from execution.
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