Kenyan national Stephen Munyakho, who had been facing execution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is finally set to return home after the government and various stakeholders successfully secured his release.
Munyakho, who had been imprisoned since 2012, was required to raise Ksh150 million as diyya (blood money) to compensate the family of his alleged murder victim, a Yemeni national. Failure to raise the amount would have resulted in his execution.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Kipkorir Sing’Oei confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that Munyakho had been released following the fulfilment of the court-ordered compensation.
“Steve Abdukareem Munyakho, the Kenyan national who has been on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is free as of 10am today pursuant to the full satisfaction of judicial decree,” Sing’Oei stated.
However, despite not revealing whether the release was after the settling of the blood money or continued diplomatic intervention, Sing'Oei pointed out that the government would provide further details regarding his arrival in the country at a later date.
“Our Mission in Riyadh has confirmed that Steve performed his Umra (minor pilgrimage) upon release. We shall provide further details regarding his arrival in the country. I commend all who have offered their support towards securing this outcome,” he added.
Successful Negotiations
Efforts to secure Munyakho's release involved contributions from well-wishers, faith-based organisations, and government interventions that spanned several years. His return to Kenya could be hailed as a victory for diplomacy and coordinated humanitarian advocacy, which the government has pursued in the past seven years.
In March this year, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar revealed that the Muslim World League had stepped in and paid the required fines for Munyakho’s release.
Speaking during an Iftar event hosted by President William Ruto at State House on March 26, Omar stated that after successful negotiations involving Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and the Muslim World League, Munyakho was set to reunite with his family.
According to Omar, the negotiations, which involved key officials from both countries, resulted in a total of KSh 129.5 million ($1 million) being paid to the Gulf nation as a settlement for the accusations Munyakho was facing.
During the announcement, Omar revealed that diplomatic efforts to save Munyakho were coordinated at State House, Nairobi, hinting at possible involvement by President Ruto.
His case gained national attention after his mother, veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu, pleaded with the Kenyan government to intervene and save her son from execution.
