A Kenyan man was released from Saudi Arabia’s execution penalty after ten years

A Kenyan man who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia for over ten years has been released following an extensive campaign aimed at preventing his execution, according to a Kenyan foreign affairs ministry official.

Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho has been released following a “judicial decree,” as noted by Korir Sing’oei on X, though additional details were not provided. 

His mother, seasoned journalist Dorothy Kweyu, shared with local media that she “rolled on the floor” upon hearing of his release. 

Munyakho was employed in Saudi Arabia when he was found guilty of murdering a Yemeni colleague in 2011. The crime is punishable by death; however, following lengthy discussions, the victim’s family consented to accept blood money.

In Saudi Arabia, Islamic law stipulates that the death penalty may be reduced if the family of the deceased agrees to accept blood money, referred to as dihya, as a form of compensation.

Reports from Kenyan media indicate that the family received $1 million (£742,000) earlier this year, a payment made by the government in conjunction with the Muslim World League charity.

The execution of Munyakho faced several delays, prompted by actions taken by officials in Kenya.

Ms. Kweyu undertook an extensive and fervent effort to rescue her son.

“I will carry this satisfaction with me for some time,” the Star newspaper reported her as saying following her son’s release.

This time, it is indeed true. “The ambassador in Saudi Arabia has confirmed it,” she added.

Munyakho began his career in Saudi Arabia in his early 20s and, 14 years ago, held the position of warehouse manager at a tourist resort along the Red Sea.

In an interview with the BBC last year, Ms Kweyu mentioned that her son had a disagreement with a colleague from Yemen. 

She stated that the colleague stabbed Munyakho with a letter opener, which led him to respond by seizing the same opener and launching an attack. The outcome was the death of the colleague.

Initially sentenced to five years for manslaughter in 2011, he saw his conviction changed to murder upon appeal in 2014, resulting in the death sentence.

Sing’oei, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, stated that Munyakho had completed the minor Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca after his release. 

The timing of his return home remains uncertain.