Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho, a Kenyan man who spent over a decade on death row in Saudi Arabia, has finally gained his freedom. Korir Sing’oei, a Kenyan foreign affairs ministry official, confirmed the court issued a “judicial decree” for Munyakho’s release, though he offered no further details.
Munyakho’s mother, Dorothy Kweyu, a veteran journalist, expressed immense joy upon hearing the news. She said that she “rolled on the floor” when she found out her son had been freed.
Munyakho had been working in Saudi Arabia when he was convicted of killing a Yemeni colleague in 2011. The crime carried the death penalty. However, after extended negotiations, the victim’s family accepted blood money, which led to Munyakho’s release.
Under Islamic law, the family of the deceased can reduce the death sentence if they accept blood money. Kenyan media reported that the family received a payment of $1 million (£742,000) earlier this year, funded by the Kenyan government and the Muslim World League charity.
Munyakho’s execution had faced multiple delays due to interventions from Kenyan officials. Ms Kweyu, who led the campaign to save her son, expressed profound relief upon hearing the news. “This satisfaction is going to be with me for a while,” she told the Star newspaper. “This time, it is true. The ambassador in Saudi Arabia has confirmed it,” she added.
Munyakho moved to Saudi Arabia in his early 20s. He worked as a warehouse manager at a Red Sea resort when the incident occurred. Last year, Ms Kweyu explained that her son had a dispute with the Yemeni colleague. The colleague allegedly stabbed Munyakho with a letter opener, and Munyakho retaliated, leading to the colleague’s death.
Munyakho initially received a five-year sentence for manslaughter. However, after an appeal, the court revised the sentence to murder in 2014, which carried the death penalty.
After his release, Sing’oei, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, confirmed that Munyakho had performed the minor Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca. The date for his return to Kenya remains uncertain.
