Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia has disclosed that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have reached out to Vietnamese authorities in a final attempt to prevent the execution of a Kenyan woman sentenced to death.
Margaret Macharia Nduta is facing the death penalty in Vietnam after being convicted of smuggling more than two kilograms of illegal drugs.
She was arrested at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, one of Vietnam’s busiest transport hubs.
Her case has sparked widespread concern in Kenya, with citizens urging the government to intervene and save her life.
With the execution date set for Sunday, March 16, MP Kururia expressed hope, revealing in a TikTok Live session that Kenya’s top leadership had made a last-ditch attempt to negotiate her fate.
“I can confirm that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted Vietnamese authorities yesterday, and they are now waiting for a response,” Kururia said during the live session.
“The Vietnamese government has remained firm on its decision. Many people have been asking whether the president is aware of the situation—yes, he is, and the government is actively waiting for feedback.”
Vietnam’s Tough Stance on Drug Crimes
On Thursday, March 6, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court handed Nduta a death sentence, reinforcing Vietnam’s strict stance on drug-related offenses.
According to court records, she was allegedly paid $1,300 (approximately KSh 167,000) to transport the drugs.
However, she strongly denied the charges in court, insisting she had no idea she was carrying illegal substances. She claimed she believed the package contained legitimate goods.
How the Kenyan Government Can Help Nduta
The Kenyan government has limited options in this case, but there are still a few possible ways to intervene:
- Diplomatic Appeal: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can formally request clemency from the Vietnamese government, pleading for a reduced sentence or an alternative form of punishment. This would be based on humanitarian grounds.
- Legal Appeal in Vietnam: Nduta’s legal team could try to appeal her sentence within Vietnam’s judicial system. However, this would require new and compelling evidence to support her defense, which might be difficult to obtain at this stage.
- Direct Presidential Intervention: President William Ruto could personally reach out to Vietnam’s leadership and appeal for mercy on Nduta’s behalf. However, Kenya does not have a strong diplomatic presence in Vietnam, which could make this process more challenging. With time running out, diplomatic efforts must move swiftly.
Foreign Affairs PS Responds to Public Pressure
As pressure mounted on the government to take action, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Korir Sing’Oei addressed concerns raised by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka regarding Nduta’s fate.
Responding to calls for Nduta’s repatriation, the PS acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating:
“Nduta’s case is extremely complex and challenging, but we are doing everything within our power to secure some form of reprieve for her.”
With just days left before her scheduled execution, all eyes are on the Kenyan government to see if its last-minute efforts will succeed in saving Nduta’s life.
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