Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has assured legislators about the imminent return of Stephen Munyakho, the 50-year-old Kenyan who was facing execution in Saudi Arabia over manslaughter.
Appearing before the Senate plenary on Wednesday morning, Mudavadi informed lawmakers that while Ksh129 million had been paid for his release, Munyakho was yet to return home due to the ongoing legal processes in Saudi Arabia.
Mudavadi reiterated that once all the legal procedures in the Asian country were complete, Munyakho would be released and allowed to return to Kenya.
The foreign affairs minister also revealed that the Kenyan Embassy in Saudi Arabia was in constant communication with the relevant authorities in Riyadh to ensure all pending issues barring Munyakho’s release were addressed.
“We are happy that as things stand, there is light at the end of the tunnel for Steve Munyako. The legal processes in Saudi Arabia are still ongoing so that the justice system there can do all the procedural steps before he is finally allowed to come to Kenya,” Mudavadi explained.
“Our embassy is in close touch to try and assist so that this process is concluded. Indeed, there are many Kenyans who are facing challenges in other parts of the world,” he added.
Muyakho’s looming execution was halted last week after the World Muslim League (WML) paid Ksh129 million ($1 million) blood money. He was convicted of manslaughter in 2011 after a workplace altercation in Saudi Arabia led to a colleague’s death.
The payment was confirmed by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar during an Iftar dinner on Tuesday, March 25, announcing that Munyakho's life had been spared after the intervention of the WML.
The same information was reaffirmed by the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims (SUPKEM), who revealed that Munyakho's family received the blood money needed for the release of their kin.
Addressing the press on Friday, March 28, SUPKEM Chairperson Hassan Naando commended the World Muslim League for their contribution and assured the family of Munyakho's release.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Muslim World League, especially the leadership of Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, for helping us save the life of our brother Stephen," Naando commented.
"On August 13, we requested the Muslim World League, which was in the country then, to help us, and one month ago, the League was able to provide their donation of one million dollars (Ksh129 million) to the family," he added.
