‘It Was Allah’s Will,’ Munyakho Reflects on Time on Death Row

A Kenyan man who spent more than a decade on death row in Saudi Arabia has returned home after a compensation deal secured his release.

Stephen Munyakho, 51, was convicted in 2011 of killing a Yemeni colleague while working in Saudi Arabia. His initial five-year manslaughter sentence was changed to a murder conviction in 2014, placing him at risk of execution. 

He came close to being executed twice before negotiations under Islamic law allowed his sentence to be commuted through the payment of diyya, or blood money. Speaking in Mombasa at Senator Mohamed Faki’s office, Munyakho said he relied on faith during his imprisonment and accepted his situation as part of God’s plan. 

He and his mother, veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu, offered the senator dates and honey in a gesture of thanks. The victim’s family eventually agreed to accept compensation, but the sum demanded, US$1 million (about Sh134 million), far exceeded what Munyakho’s supporters could raise. 

Senator Faki said only Sh20 million was collected through public appeals before the Kenyan government and the World Muslim League covered the remaining amount.

Senator Faki said many Kenyan migrant workers continue to face serious risks abroad, including unexplained deaths, long detentions and exploitation. 

He urged the government to strengthen protections for citizens working overseas, saying such cases are part of a wider pattern. Since returning to Kenya in July, Munyakho has faced several family bereavements. His mother said the series of funerals had underscored the importance of expressing appreciation to those still alive.

The senator also cited other examples of Kenyans in difficult circumstances overseas, including workers jailed over minor disputes, retirees denied benefits and a traveller detained in Ethiopia after boarding the wrong flight. He said many citizens seek better opportunities abroad only to encounter unexpected hardship.