The mother of Margaret Nduta—the Kenyan woman sentenced to death in Vietnam on drug charges—has sent a desperate appeal to President William Ruto, a day after the 37-year-old's execution was delayed.
While expressing gratitude to the government for their intervention at the eleventh hour, Nduta's mother, Purity Wangari, admitted that despite the temporary reprieve, the family was still living in anguish.
Speaking from their home in Murang’a County, Wangari called on the President to engage in further negotiations to facilitate the return of her daughter.
"Thank you, Mr President, because my child has not been killed. Please bring her back home, we’ll be very grateful," a tearful Wangari said.
Nduta's nightmare spell in the Middle East began in July 2023 when she was apprehended at Ho Chi Minh City Airport while transiting to Laos. At the time, Vietnamese authorities discovered two kilograms of cocaine concealed in a compartment in the suitcase she was travelling with.
The 37-year-old has asserted that she was unaware of the concealed illicit drugs, but the Vietnamese court convicted her of drug trafficking on 6 March 2025. She was then sentenced to death by lethal injection.
With uncertainty over her fate persisting, Nduta’s village has turned to prayers, which were intensified on Tuesday, 18 March, after receiving news of the execution delay.
Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege visited the family, revealing that extensive diplomatic efforts are underway to negotiate a possible commutation of Nduta’s sentence.
"There is a lot of diplomacy and communication going on, but the best bit is that Nduta will not be hanged now," Chege revealed. "There is a lot of talk going on, and very soon the government will give its position once negotiations are done."
In terms of drug-related offences, Vietnam possesses some of the harshest penalties globally, with trafficking over 600 grams of cocaine or heroin carrying the death penalty.
Nduta's mother understands the gravity of her daughter's current plight, hence her appeal to the government to facilitate the expatriation of the 37-year-old so she can face punishment in Kenya.
“We just want her back. Even if she has to serve a sentence here, it is better than losing her completely,” she asserted.
In a recent interview, Nduta's sister recounted the circumstances leading up to the arrest, explaining that Nduta was given a new bag by her travel agent after being informed that her original bag was too small.
