Steven Munyakho Set to Return Home, Escapes Death in Saudi

Condemned Kenyan Steven Munyakho will soon be free, evading death row in Saudi Arabia. UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar announced this news during an Iftaar session hosted by President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi on Thursday. 

Omar revealed that an intervention by the Muslim World League has secured the release of Munyakho after a payment of the $1 million fine (KES 129 million). This was after frantic appeals were raised by the Kenyan government during a visit by the league representatives to Kenya last year.

The details surrounding the case, including the circumstances of the conviction and subsequent negotiations for his release, remain sparse. However, the news of his imminent freedom is a relief to Munyakho’s family, who have been through traumatic times seeking to get their son back.

Steven Munyakho was convicted of manslaughter by Saudi Arabian courts in 2012 after a fight with his co-worker in Saudi Arabia turned tragic. Steven was first sentenced to five years imprisonment, but upon appeal to a Sharia court, the sentence was aggravated to death by execution.

Efforts by the Kenyan government helped delay the execution, but now the family is set to meet their son upon his imminent release. 

In warning Kenyans against such a predicament, Hassan Omar cautioned Kenyans to obey the laws of the countries they go to, lest similar circumstances will follow. 

“Kenyans should, however, be warned to honour the laws of the territories they live in. The government can intervene, but it has limitations,” cautioned Omar.

Munyakho’s release comes amid frantic attempts by the government to broker a similar release for Kenyan Margaret Nduta, who faces death row in Vietnam after being convicted of drug trafficking.