Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei announced that the government had made a breakthrough in the case of Stephen Munyakho who is facing execution in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement dated, Thursday, June 13, the PS indicated that the government had secured an extension to facilitate Munyakho's family in raising the Ksh120 million for compensation.
The family of the Kenyan man had been directed to pay the Ksh120 million compensation money in replacement of the execution of the man who was sentenced to death after the death of a colleague.
Notably, the deadline for raising the money was about to lapse, therefore, the extension grants Munyakho's mother more time to raise the funds.
"I wish to notify the public that we continue to actively search for the resolution of the outstanding and complex matter regarding Stephen Munyakho. Following our intervention, the deadline for the collection of compensation has been extended by four months from the initial 26th of July 2024 to the 26th of November 2024," the PS stated.
"I laud the Kenya Mission in Riyadh for their dedicated effort in engaging Saudi authorities and the family of the deceased. We call on everyone’s support in raising the required 3.5 million Saudi Riyals - approximately Kshs 120 million as at the current exchange rate."
On the other hand, the PS also noted that the government would continue working through its diplomatic channels to have the Kenyan brought back home.
"We continue to work with Stephen’s family and will consolidate all fundraising efforts on the week beginning July 8, 2024, in order to assess progress made," Sing'oei added.
"We intend to further pursue all diplomatic channels available to resolve this matter and bring Stephen home."
Munyakho was sentenced to death by the sword after being involved in a fight with a colleague in April 2011. The colleague got injured during the fight and succumbed to injuries.
Why Kenya Cannot Pay the Ksh120M
In May, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musali Mudavi explained that Kenya could not pay the compensation money because of a lack of funds.
He added that there was no Fund created by Parliament for such a purpose.
"We can focus on the diplomatic interventions but as MPs know there is no fund that we can draw from under such circumstances. Unless Parliament was to create a fund of that nature, it means that we shall have to continue trying to intervene using the diplomatic channels so that we can save this gentleman," he stated.
