Kenyan National Stephen Munyakho Released from Saudi Death Row After Diya Payment

Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan national who spent over a decade on death row in Saudi Arabia, is set to return home after a Sh129.5 million (approximately $863,000 USD) diya payment, a form of financial compensation under Islamic law, secured his release.

The Muslim World League (MWL) intervened to provide the full diya amount to the family of Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh, the Yemeni national whose death led to Munyakho’s imprisonment. The announcement was made by Hassan Omar, Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), during an Iftar dinner held at the Kenyan State House. Omar credits collaborative diplomatic efforts between the Kenyan and Saudi Arabian ambassadors, alongside the MWL's financial intervention, for the resolution of the case.

Munyakho's ordeal began in April 2011 following a confrontation with Saleh. Initially convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years, the victim’s family appealed the decision. A Sharia court subsequently upgraded the sentence to the death penalty. Munyakho was incarcerated in Saudi Arabia's Shimeisi Prison while awaiting execution. Under Saudi law, families of victims have the right to demand diya as an alternative to capital punishment.

In this instance, Saleh’s family initially requested 3.5 million Saudi Riyals, approximately Sh150 million, for Munyakho’s release. A public campaign, "Bring Back Stevo," led by Munyakho’s mother, Dorothy Kweyu, a veteran journalist, raised Sh11 million but fell short of the required amount. The Kenyan government engaged in extensive diplomatic negotiations to postpone Munyakho’s execution, securing multiple extensions, including a one-year delay in October 2023.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the government’s commitment and called for public support to augment fundraising efforts. Ultimately, the MWL’s intervention proved decisive. Following appeals from the Kenyan President and the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem), MWL Secretary General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa facilitated the payment. Omar has also issued a reminder to Kenyans living abroad to respect the laws of their host countries, citing the limitations of governmental intervention in foreign legal jurisdictions.