Kenyan escapes execution in Saudi Arabia after Sh129.5m payout

A portrait photo of the Stephen Bertrand Munyakho aka Stevo is was jailed in Saudi Arabia. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan who has been on death row in Saudi Arabia for over a decade, is set to return home soon.

This comes after the Muslim World League, a global Islamic organisation, paid the Sh129.5 million required to spare his life.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar confirmed the development at an Iftar dinner held at the State House.

"The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Kenya, Khalid, and our ambassador to Saudi Arabia have confirmed that the Muslim World League paid the Sh129.5 million settlement, securing his release after diplomatic intervention. He will return home safely," Omar announced.

Munyakho had been on death row in Saudi Arabia since 2013 after a last-minute intervention secured his release.

His ordeal began in April 2011 when he was involved in a fatal altercation with a Yemeni national, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh. Though initially sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter, a Sharia court later upgraded his sentence to the death penalty following an appeal by the victim's family.

For over a decade, he remained in Saudi Arabia's Shimeisi Prison, facing the grim reality of impending execution. Under Saudi law, the victim's family can demand "diya"-financial compensation in exchange for the convict's release. The deceased's family initially sought 3.5 million Saudi Riyals (approximately Sh150 million).

Speaking at Iftar in State House yesterday, Omar noted that last year, the Chairman of Supkem and the President made a passionate request to the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, to intervene in Munyakho's case.

Even as he celebrated the diplomatic victory, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar urged Kenyans living abroad to abide by the laws of their host countries.

"I also warn Kenyans, wherever you are, to respect the laws of the territory you live in. The government can intervene, but it has its limitations. If you decide to go to someone's territory, respect their laws so that you can live in harmony," Omar emphasised.

Determined to save her son, Dorothy Kweyu, a veteran journalist, launched the 'Bring Back Stevo' campaign to raise the required funds. Kenyans from all walks of life contributed, helping the family raise about Ksh11 million, but the amount fell short of what was needed.

Munyakho's execution was originally scheduled for 16 May 2024, but diplomatic negotiations secured multiple postponements. In October 2023, the Kenyan government successfully lobbied for a one-year delay.

On May 13, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing'oei announced that Saudi authorities had agreed to another extension to allow further negotiations.

"I am deeply grateful to inform you that authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have kindly granted our request to postpone the impending execution of Stephen Munyakho (now known as Abdulkareem) to allow for further negotiations between all parties," Sing'oei said.

Late last year, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said that although the family had started fundraising efforts, they had appealed to the government for urgent intervention to save Munyakho from the hangman.

"All I can say is that, as a government, we will do our best in different capacities to call for public appeals to support this cause so that more resources are raised to save Munyakho," he said.