The Kenyan Government is in talks with Saudi Arabia to extend the deadline for the execution of Stephen Bertrand Munyakho alias Stevo. The Kenyan citizen was sentenced to be executed on May 15, 2024 for the killing of a Yemeni national in 2011.
Munyakho, 50, was imprisoned at Makkah’s Shimeisi Prison after his warehouse co-worker, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh died from injuries sustained in a confrontation.
The 50 year old is the son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu who vocally highlighted his plight.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive show, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei revealed Kenya’s diplomatic efforts to negotiate with Riyadh.
The talks aim to extend the May 15 deadline set by the Saudi Court for Munyakho to raise the required Sh150 million blood money or face execution. So far, Sh 7 million has been raised
Sing’Oei stated, “Based on the engagements of our Ambassador in Saudi today [Wednesday], we have a strong belief that the deadline might be extended. And particularly when we demonstrate to the court that efforts have been rolled out to try to mobilize some resources to be able to meet this family midway. Maybe not entirely the whole way, but at least midway. And so demonstrate good faith and commitment to repair the harm occasioned to this family.”
Kenya directed its envoy in Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Ruwange, to engage the Saudi government upon learning of the case.
“The circumstances that this gentleman is in are dire. When this case was brought to our attention, we instructed our Ambassador in Saudi Arabia Mohammed Luwaje to re-engage because we believe the door is not quite shut yet…even though it is a great thing for Kenyans to rally together to try and raise the Ksh.150 million we think there are diplomatic pathways we can try to resolve this issues,” he said.
Sing’Oei emphasized, “We believe the door is not quite shut yet.”
Sing’Oei praised Kenyans for helping raise funds for Munyakho’s family and remained hopeful that diplomatic efforts could resolve the situation.
He reassured the convict’s family that the government is dedicated to negotiate a deal preventing Munyakho’s execution, expressing deep concern about the case.
“This is a case that has been in the books for a couple of years. This young man (Munyakho) inadvertently occasioned the death of another,” he remarked.
PS Sing’Oei voiced optimism that the Saudi courts would review the sentencing, which he described as “egregious,” expressing hope for a favorable outcome in the next few weeks.
By Vivian K.