Relief for Kenyan Woman Facing Death Sentence in Malaysia

A Kenyan woman who was found guilty of trafficking illegal substances in Malaysia has been granted a reduced sentence by the Court of Appeal. 

On Thursday, July 20, the court overturned the previous ruling that had pronounced a death sentence and instead imposed a prison term of 12 years, starting from the time of her arrest in 2016. Prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to incriminate the woman, who had attempted to enter the country with illegal substances via Kuala Lumpur International Airport. 

Her lawyer argued that she had been lured into trafficking by a criminal organisation and that her impoverished background had made her vulnerable to exploitation. The lawyer successfully convinced the court that the woman had reformed and should be released to care for her children. The request for a client's nine-year jail sentence through prayer was rejected and instead, the judge ordered a 12-year sentence under Malaysia's Dangerous Drugs Act. 

 "Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be punished on conviction with death or imprisonment for life and shall if he is not sentenced to death, be punished with the whipping of not less than fifteen strokes," the act states.   

This law prohibits the production, sale, importation, exportation, and use of illegal drugs and substances. However, in May 2023, the Malaysian government decided to decriminalize the possession and use of small amounts of illicit drugs. Additionally, the government is pursuing a new law to decriminalize suicide attempts. Under this law, individuals caught with drugs will receive rehabilitation and face criminal charges.