According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei, the Kenyan government successfully negotiated the postponement of Stephen Munyakho’s execution in Saudi Arabia.
Munyakho ,was working in Saudi Arabia when he was sentenced to death by sword following the death of his Yemeni co-worker, after they got into a confrontation in April 2011.
Stephen is the son of Dorothy Kweyu, a well-known journalist, who has been seeking help to raise Ksh150 million blood money, for his release. Stephen had been scheduled for execution on May 15, 2023.
In a statement, Singo’ei announced that Saudi Arabian authorities had granted Kenya’s request to postpone Munyakho’s execution in order to allow for further consultations among all parties.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei says the Kenyan government has been able to negotiate the postponement of the execution of Stephen Munyakho in Saudi Arabia. He is the son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu. She has been appealing to raise Ksh150 million to secure… pic.twitter.com/kr1LoBNmfj
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“As we devise strategies to bring this matter to a more acceptable conclusion, and thereby giving both families the closure they so urgently need and deserve, we shall continue to lean on the warm and solid friendship that we have with our Saudi partners, as well as on the goodwill of all Kenyans,” the statement read in part.
“In the coming days, we shall be engaging stakeholders in Nairobi and Riyadh, including representations from our religious leadership, to agree on the next urgent steps.”
Singo’ei expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that this would not have been achieved without diplomatic efforts led by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Kenya’s representation in Riyad.
The Kenyan has been in prison since 2012, and he was ordered to raise Ksh150 million to compensate the Yemeni national’s family or face execution.
Kweyu requested government assistance when her attempts to raise the huge sum of money proved ineffective.
On May 8, PS Singo’ei reported that President William Ruto’s administration had asked Kenyan Saudi Ambassador Mohamed Ruwange to intervene and pursue every diplomatic option available to prevent the execution.
He also indicated that Munyakho’s family may not be obliged to pay the Ksh150 million.
Also read: Government Intervenes To Save Kenyan Man Facing Death Penalty In Saudi Arabia