Saudi Arabia has granted an extension to the deadline for the collection of compensation blood money owed to the family of a Riyadh resident allegedly killed by Stephen Munyakho, the Kenyan man incarcerated at Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca.
Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, announced on X that the deadline has been extended by four months, from July 26 to November 26, 2024, following intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“I laud the Kenya Mission in Riyadh for their dedicated effort in engaging Saudi authorities and the family of the deceased. We call on everyone’s support in raising the required 3.5 million Saudi Riyals (approx. Ksh. 120 million),” he said.
“We continue to work with Stephen’s family and will consolidate all fundraising efforts on the week beginning 8th July 2024 in order to assess progress made. We intend to further pursue all diplomatic channels available to resolve this matter and bring Stephen home.”
Stephen has spent a total of 13 years in various Saudi prisons. His ordeal, narrated by his mother Dorothy Kweyu, began on April 12, 2011, with a devastating phone call informing her of a tragic incident involving her son, who was employed in Saudi Arabia.
Initially, reports indicated that Stephen had been implicated in a fatal altercation. However, the situation took a darker turn when the 37-year-old was sentenced to death by beheading following a murder trial.
“My son was sentenced to death by the sword, but this would not be carried out immediately because a child from the Yemeni family was involved. The child had to be 18 to have a say on the execution of his father’s killer, I was later told,” Dorothy disclosed in March.
The situation further intensified when the victim’s family pursued justice under Shariah law, leaving Dorothy feeling helpless and trapped. Despite the bleak circumstances, Dorothy remained determined, tirelessly seeking assistance from her community and government officials, including those from Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Her persistent efforts yielded some progress when the victim’s family reluctantly agreed to enter negotiations for a “diya” or blood money settlement.
