Stephen Munyakho
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Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan national imprisoned in Saudi Arabia since 2011, is expected to be released following a $1 million (Sh129 million) compensation payment secured by the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem).
The funds were paid to Saudi Arabian authorities a month ago through the Muslim World League, a global organization focused on Muslim unity and humanitarian aid, according to Supkem National Chairman Hassan Ole Naado. Munyakho, 50, also known as Abdulkarim, was initially convicted of manslaughter for the death of his colleague, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh, following an altercation in April 2011.
Saleh sustained injuries and later died in the hospital. In 2014, a Shariah court escalated the conviction to murder, leading to prolonged legal challenges. Supkem intervened after bringing the case to the attention of Dr Mohamed Abdul Karim Alissa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, during his visit to Nairobi in August.
Supkem emphasized that Munyakho and Saleh were friends, and the incident was the result of a dispute rather than premeditated malice. The Muslim World League then authorized the compensation payment demanded by Saleh's family. Ole Naado says that the victim's family has received the compensation, paving the way for Munyakho's release.
“On Wednesday this week, I was in communication with the office of the Secretary General of the World Muslim League as well with the Saudi Ambassador to Kenya and his Kenyan counterpart in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both of whom assured me that the administrative procedures in Saudi Arabia are now underway to process Steve for release and, once those are done, our brother will, by the Grace of Allah, be set free to come back home,” Ole Naado said.
Munyakho's family has expressed gratitude and cautious optimism while awaiting official confirmation from Kenyan and Saudi authorities. They say that if accurate, the release will be an answered prayer for the many well-wishers supporting the Save Stevo Campaign.