A Kenyan man, Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho, who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia for over 14 years, has finally been released following a prolonged legal battle, intense diplomatic efforts, and a million-dollar blood money settlement. The announcement of his release was confirmed by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Munyakho had been freed under a “judicial decree.”
Munyakho, who traveled to Saudi Arabia in his early 20s for work, was convicted in 2011 for the murder of a Yemeni colleague during a dispute at the tourist resort on the Red Sea where he worked as a warehouse manager. The altercation reportedly began when the Yemeni colleague stabbed Munyakho with a letter opener, prompting Munyakho to retaliate. The colleague later died from his injuries. Initially sentenced to five years for manslaughter, Munyakho’s conviction was upgraded to murder in 2014 after an appeal, which carried the mandatory death penalty under Saudi Arabia’s Islamic law.
However, Islamic law also allows the death sentence to be commuted if the family of the deceased accepts diyya (blood money) as compensation. After years of negotiation, the victim’s family agreed to accept $1 million in compensation. This payment, reportedly facilitated by the Kenyan government and the Muslim World League, ultimately led to Munyakho’s release.
His mother, veteran Kenyan journalist Dorothy Kweyu, had led a relentless campaign to save her son. Reacting to the news, she told local media she “rolled on the floor” in joy upon hearing of his release, calling it a moment of “pure satisfaction.” Kweyu’s efforts included working with diplomats, legal teams, and civil society actors across borders to navigate the complexities of Saudi Arabia’s legal system.
Throughout the years, Munyakho’s execution was delayed several times due to intervention from Kenyan officials, including Kenya’s embassy in Riyadh and high-level appeals. His case sparked national debate in Kenya over the rights and protection of migrant workers in the Gulf region, many of whom often face legal and human rights challenges.
Now in his late 30s, Munyakho has performed the Umrah (minor Muslim pilgrimage) in Mecca since his release, according to Sing’oei. While details of his return home remain unclear, his release marks the end of a harrowing ordeal and a significant diplomatic success for Kenya. His story also brings renewed focus to the plight of many African migrant workers in the Middle East and the importance of legal protections, bilateral agreements, and consular support.
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