Govt Responds To Plea To Save Kenyan Woman In Vietnam From Execution
Nduta, 37, was sentenced to death by a court in Ho Chi Minh City for trafficking over 2 kg of drugs through Tan Son Nhat Airport. Her execution was scheduled for Sunday, March 16.
Marvin Chege 
The Kenyan government has responded to a request by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka for urgent intervention regarding the looming execution of a Kenyan woman in Vietnam.
Onyonka had made an urgent appeal to President William Ruto, requesting diplomatic intervention to save the woman, Margaret Nduta Macharia, who was revealed to be facing the death penalty in Vietnam. The Senator asked the Head of State to seek clemency and facilitate her repatriation.
Nduta, 37, was sentenced to death by a court in Ho Chi Minh City for trafficking over 2 kg of drugs through Tan Son Nhat Airport. Her execution was scheduled for Sunday, March 16.
In his open letter, Onyonka called on the Kenyan government to take swift action to protect Nduta’s fundamental rights, stressing the importance of a humanitarian approach.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka. /PEOPLE DAILY
While respecting Vietnam’s judicial system, he urged President Ruto to engage with the Vietnamese authorities, the United Nations, and international human rights organizations to negotiate a reduced sentence and explore the possibility of transferring Nduta to Kenya.
“This distressing development calls for urgent diplomatic intervention to safeguard her fundamental rights and explore the possibility of clemency and repatriation,” Onyonka wrote.
The senator proposed three key options, including a clemency request to reduce the death sentence to life imprisonment or a lesser penalty. He also urged diplomatic discussions to facilitate Nduta’s transfer to Kenya, allowing her to serve her sentence under local jurisdiction.
Additionally, he called for collaboration with international human rights organizations to bolster Kenya’s efforts in ensuring she receives fair treatment.
Emphasizing Kenya’s longstanding commitment to justice and the humane treatment of its citizens abroad, Onyonka urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly.
In response, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing'oei wrote, "Thank you Hon. Richard Onyonka for your Petition. Nduta’s case is complex and difficult but we are doing everything within our disposal to secure reprieve for our national."
Nduta’s case has drawn nationwide attention in Kenya, with citizens calling on the government to intervene and prevent her execution. Similar calls were made by Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino, as Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia revealed that President Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have reached out to Vietnamese authorities regarding the looming execution.
One possible course of action in this matter is diplomatic intervention, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kenyan Embassy formally request clemency or a reduced sentence from the Vietnamese government.
Another option is for Nduta’s legal team to file an appeal within Vietnam’s judicial system, seeking a review of her death sentence. However, this would likely require new evidence to support her claims, making it a challenging route.
President Ruto could also make a direct appeal to Vietnam’s leadership on humanitarian grounds. However, Kenya’s limited diplomatic presence in Vietnam may weaken Nduta’s chances of avoiding the death penalty, especially as time is running out.
Following sentencing, it is anticipated that the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuracy in Vietnam will review the case, with up to two months to consider any extraordinary appeals. The convicted person currently has seven days to submit a clemency petition to the State President. If these legal avenues do not result in a reprieve, the court proceeds with scheduling the execution.
The time frame between sentencing and execution varies depending on the specifics of the case and the duration of legal reviews and clemency considerations.
