Foreign Affairs PS Korir Singoei
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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.
Comments
When you live in another country you must obey their laws, rules regulations, whatever you been doing in your country leave that at home when moving or traveling to other countries. Middle Eastern countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Iran you can lose your life. So behave yourself, obey their laws if you can’t then stay in your own country
True that. But we have not been told who initiated this fight. Just because you live in another country does not mean that the natives treat you like a slave. Why are you quick to blame Mr. Munyakho? I have worked and seen Arabs work, and if you are in a place they think they have power over you, they are outright bullies and slave drivers. I have observed and worked with them. They will manipulate, lie and misrepresent, always ready to cry victim and accuse others of religious persecution.
There is gray it's not always black and white. I don't know the circumstances of the case. That the family is willing to accept money to save a life says a lot. That the amount can't be raised says more. I wish all parties the best. This situation makes me very sad. If there is an international organization willing to help I hope they've been contacted. I don't condone violence of any kind.
MDVD just told you that Kenya does not have the funds to help you dude! You can consider yourself a man without a country to fight for you. You are dealing with a bunch of selfish dirty morons who could care less about your plight in Saudi Arabia. It is bad to be a citizen of a Banana Republic. Them thugs are stealing everything in our coffers and they can’t spare anything to save a life in danger.
Patel, you are an idiot and a thief! What does the country Kenya have to do with this case? Priority again and again. Kenya needs money for schools, hospitals, roads, etc. This particular thing comes way down in priority.
Thanks to all Kenyans who mass emailed the Saudi Embassies in Kenya and the US, for reaching out to the human rights organizations and making this happen. The Kenyan govt did not do much but latch on after the people took action.
Wakenya watukuzwe.