Kenyan Stephen Munyakho's Execution in Saudi Arabia Temporarily Halted

The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it has secured a postponement of the impending execution of Stephen Munyakho, now known as Abdulkareem, in Saudi Arabia.

This development comes as a relief for Munyakho who was scheduled to face the death penalty on Wednesday, May 15th, after being found guilty of killing a Yemeni national in the Kingdom. The Ministry's Principal Secretary Korir Singo'ei conveys that the Saudi Arabian authorities have granted Kenya's request to delay Munyakho's execution. This concession aims to facilitate further negotiations between all parties involved, potentially paving the way for a more favourable resolution. Singo'ei expresses gratitude for the warm and solid friendship between Kenya and Saudi Arabia which made this diplomatic intervention possible.

The Principal Secretary outlines the Ministry's forthcoming endeavours saying "In the coming days, we shall be engaging stakeholders in Nairobi and Riyadh, including representations from our religious leadership, to agree on the next urgent steps,"

The Ministry seeks to devise strategies to bring about a more acceptable conclusion, providing closure for the families affected by this tragic incident. Singo'ei acknowledges the tireless efforts of the Kenyan teams both at the Ministry's headquarters and the Mission in Riyadh whose dedication has played a crucial role in securing this reprieve. The Kenyan national was born in Pumwani, Nairobi in 1974. Munyakho was convicted of murder under the Kingdom's Sharia legal system and sentenced to death by beheading. The scheduled execution date of May 15, 2024, left his family with a desperate plea for public assistance.

Munyakho's case stems from a 2011 altercation with a Yemeni national, Mr. Abdul Halim Mujahid Markad Saleh. The incident resulted in Mr Saleh's death after hospitalization. Initially, Munyakho received a five-year prison sentence for manslaughter. However, the victim's family contested the verdict, leading a Sharia court to upgrade the charges to murder. A crucial aspect of the case involves the concept of Diya, or blood money, within Sharia law. The victim's family can demand financial compensation in exchange for clemency.

Munyakho's family is desperately attempting to raise 3.5 million Saudi Riyals (approximately Sh123.3 million) to meet this demand. Unfortunately, they have only managed to secure Sh5.5 million thus far, leaving a significant shortfall. Munyakho's mother Dorothy Kweyu has vehemently maintained her son's innocence, asserting that he is not a murderer.