Kenyan Facing Execution In Saudi Arabia Set To Return Home After Ksh 129.5M Payment
Munyakho is the son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu, who had begged the Kenyan government to intervene and save him from the hangman's noose.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan in Saudi Arabia who was on the verge of execution, is expected to return home after the Muslim World League stepped in and covered the required fines, according to United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 25, during an Iftar event at State House hosted by President William Ruto, Omar stated that after successful negotiations between Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and the Muslim World League, Munyakho would soon reunite with his family.
Omar explained that discussions involving key officials from both nations led to a settlement of Ksh 129.5 million ($1 million) being paid to the Gulf nation to resolve the accusations against Munyakho.
He further disclosed that diplomatic efforts to secure Munyakho's release were coordinated at State House, Nairobi, suggesting possible involvement by President William Ruto.
UDA Party Secretary General Hassan Omar during a past meeting. /UDA
"Last year, we brought the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa, here to State House. Through SUPKEM and President William Ruto, we made a passionate request to Issa of a Kenyan who was facing execution for murder to try and see whether an intervention can be made," he stated.
The ruling party's Secretary-General, Khalid Al Salman, stated that the Saudi Ambassador to Kenya and Kenya's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange, confirmed the successful conclusion of the negotiations.
Meanwhile, Omar cautioned Kenyans living abroad to adhere to the laws of their host countries, stressing that government intervention would not always be possible.
"Both our ambassadors have confirmed that the request has since been honoured, the one million dollars has been paid, and the Kenyan will return home safely," Omar assured.
"To warn Kenyans—wherever you are, respect the laws of the territories you live in, be it in Vietnam, Malaysia, or South Africa. The government can intervene, but it has its limitations."
Munyakho was originally scheduled for execution on May 15, 2024, but the authorities extended the deadline to July 26, 2024, and then further postponed it by four months to November 26, 2024. The latest postponement had come on October 24, 2024.
Munyakho is the son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu, who had begged the Kenyan government to intervene and save him from the hangman's noose.
"The execution is too terrible to contemplate. Therefore, we appeal to you all to help us raise this amount," she previously stated, asking 1 million Kenyans to donate Ksh150 each.
He, who changed his name to Abdulkareem, was accused of causing the death of a Yemeni national who was his workmate after a fight between the two, and had been in prison since 2011.
After the court hearing, the victim's family called for the Kenyan's execution. However, after years of appealing the case, the family finally opted for the alternative solution, which was paying the blood money amounting to Ksh150 million.
Munyakho's relief comes as another high-profile case unfolds, involving Kenyan national Margaret Nduta, who faces execution in Vietnam for drug trafficking.
An aeroplane at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. /KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN
