A Kenyan man who spent over a decade on death row in Saudi Arabia has finally been released. Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho's long and agonizing wait for freedom came to an end under a "judicial decree," as confirmed by Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing'oei, on X. The news brought an outpouring of emotion, nowhere more profoundly felt than by his mother, veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu, who reportedly "rolled on the floor" in sheer relief upon hearing the life-altering announcement.
For Ms. Kweyu, the release marks the culmination of a "long and desperate campaign" waged with unwavering determination. Her profound satisfaction was palpable, as she told the Star newspaper, "This satisfaction is going to be with me for a while." Her confirmation, stating "This time, it is true. The ambassador [in Saudi Arabia] has confirmed it," underscored the years of false hopes and dashed expectations that preceded this moment of pure joy. Her tireless advocacy, coupled with interventions by Kenyan officials, had previously secured multiple postponements of her son's execution, buying precious time that ultimately led to his salvation.
Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho's ordeal began over 14 years ago when, in his early twenties, he sought work opportunities in Saudi Arabia, finding employment as a warehouse manager at a Red Sea tourist resort. The fateful incident occurred in 2011 when, according to his mother's account to the BBC, he became embroiled in a dispute with a Yemeni colleague. The altercation tragically escalated when the workmate allegedly stabbed Munyakho with a letter opener, prompting him to retaliate using the same weapon, which resulted in the colleague's death. Initially, in 2011, Munyakho was sentenced to five years for manslaughter. However, a subsequent appeal in 2014 saw his conviction tragically upgraded to murder, carrying with it the grim imposition of the death penalty.
The turning point in this protracted legal battle lay in the intricate application of Islamic law, which governs the Saudi Arabian judicial system. Under this framework, a death sentence for murder can be commuted if the deceased's family agrees to accept blood money, known as dihya, as compensation. After years of painstaking and protracted negotiations, the victim's family ultimately agreed to this provision. Kenyan media reported that a substantial payment of $1 million (£742,000) was made earlier this year, facilitated through a collaborative effort between the Kenyan government and a prominent charitable organization, the Muslim World League, illustrating the power of diplomatic and humanitarian intervention.
Following his release from incarceration, Munyakho performed the minor Muslim pilgrimage, Umrah, in Mecca – a poignant act symbolizing a spiritual cleansing and a new chapter in his life. While the exact timeline for his return home to Kenya remains unconfirmed, the immediate crisis has passed, paving the way for his long-awaited reunion with his family.
