Kenyan national Stephen Munyakho released from Saudi Arabian prison after nearly 13 years.
Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan man who had spent nearly 13 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, has finally been freed. The confirmation came Tuesday from Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei, who revealed that Munyakho’s release followed the satisfaction of a judicial decree.
“Steve Abdukareem Munyakho… is free as of 10 am today,” said Sing’oei. “We shall provide further details regarding his arrival in the country.”
Sing’oei added that the Kenyan Mission in Riyadh confirmed Munyakho had already performed Umrah (minor pilgrimage) following his release.
In 2011, Munyakho was working as a warehouse manager in Saudi Arabia when he got into a fatal altercation with a Yemeni colleague who later died from the injuries. He was initially convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.
However, the deceased’s family appealed, leading a Shariah court to upgrade the charge to murder, and Munyakho was sentenced to death by beheading in 2014.
Because the deceased’s son was underage at the time, the execution could not proceed until he turned 18, giving room for further negotiations.
In March 2024, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar revealed that both governments had agreed on a settlement and the required blood money—Diya—had been paid.
“The 1 million dollars has been paid, and the Kenyan will return home safe and sound,” Omar stated.
The negotiations, which initially began with a demand of SAR 10 million (Ksh 400M), were eventually settled at SAR 3.5 million (Ksh 150M then). The final payment made to the family was $1 million (Ksh 129M), securing Munyakho’s clemency.
Stephen’s mother, journalist Dorothy Kweyu, had spearheaded several fundraising campaigns to save her son, appealing to Kenyans and the international community for help. She repeatedly warned that the execution had been scheduled for May 15, then extended to July 26, and later to November 26, 2024.
The eventual agreement was reached after years of tireless negotiation involving diplomats, religious leaders, and government officials.
With his freedom secured, the government has promised to release travel details about Munyakho’s return to Kenya soon. His release marks a remarkable end to a painful chapter and underscores the power of diplomacy, public support, and persistence.
