Kenyan Man on Death Row in Saudi Arabia to Return Home After Ksh 129.5 Million Settlement

A Kenyan man, Stephen Munyakho, who was facing execution in Saudi Arabia, will finally return home after the Muslim World League stepped in and paid a settlement to secure his release.

This was revealed by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar during an Iftar dinner hosted by President William Ruto at State House on Tuesday.

Omar explained that Munyakho’s freedom was made possible through successful negotiations involving the governments of Kenya and Saudi Arabia, alongside the Muslim World League.

The intervention led to a KSh 129.5 million ($1 million) settlement paid to the Saudi authorities, allowing Munyakho to be freed and reunited with his family.

The UDA Secretary-General disclosed that efforts to save Munyakho had been ongoing for some time and were coordinated at State House in Nairobi.

He hinted at President William Ruto’s involvement, stating, “Last year, we invited the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League to State House. Through SUPKEM and the President, we made a passionate appeal regarding the Kenyan who was on death row in Saudi Arabia.”

Omar further noted that Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Kenya, Khalid Al Salman, and Kenya’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange, both confirmed that the negotiations were successful. As a result, the necessary funds were paid, and Munyakho is now set to return home safely.

A Strong Warning to Kenyans Abroad

While celebrating Munyakho’s release, Omar took the opportunity to caution Kenyans living and working in foreign countries.

He emphasized the importance of obeying local laws, warning that although the government can step in to assist in certain cases, there are limits to how far diplomatic efforts can go.

“Kenyans abroad must respect the laws of the countries they reside in—whether it’s Vietnam, Malaysia, or South Africa. The government can only intervene to a certain extent,” he stated.

Munyakho’s Legal Struggles

Munyakho, who changed his name to Abdulkareem, had been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia since 2012 after being convicted of killing a Yemeni national.

His execution had been scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2024. However, Kenya’s diplomatic intervention led to a one-year postponement, allowing more time to negotiate his release.

His case became widely known after his mother, veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu, made a public appeal for government intervention to save her son from execution.

Munyakho had originally been ordered to pay KSh 150 million as compensation to the victim’s family, a requirement that, if unmet, would have led to his execution.

Other Kenyans Facing Death Sentences Abroad

Munyakho’s case is just one among several Kenyans who have found themselves facing the death penalty in foreign countries.

Another high-profile case is that of Margaret Nduta, a Kenyan woman currently on death row in Vietnam after being convicted of drug trafficking.

Nduta’s fate remains uncertain as the Kenyan government continues exploring diplomatic options to save her life.

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