Stephen Munyakho, the Kenyan man who faced execution in Saudi Arabia, is expected to return home today (Wednesday) following his release on Tuesday after satisfying a judicial decree.
In a statement from the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the Kenyan government indicated that Munyakho’s release was secured after months of diplomatic negotiations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Munyakho, now called Abdulkareem, was jailed in Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca for allegedly murdering a Yemeni colleague in 2011.
Initially, he was sentenced to five years for manslaughter, but an appeal changed the charges to murder, carrying the death penalty.
The death sentence was, however, deferred after the deceased’s family accepted diyya (blood money) as payment.
Following intervention by Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, the deceased’s family lowered the amount to facilitate the payment. Earlier in the year, the family received Ksh.129 million from the government and a charity, the Muslim World League.
This facilitated Munyakho’s release and he was able to perform Umrah (minor pilgrimage) before being transferred from the prison to a deportation centre awaiting clearance for immediate deportation.
The Embassy has since prepared an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) as Munyakho’s passport had expired during his jail term.
According to Mudavadi’s office, the Saudi authorities have agreed to cover the full cost of Munyakho’s deportation.
“The PCS is now awaiting confirmation of the time of his deportation flight, which could happen today. The government will communicate this as soon as the details become clear,” the statement read in part.
“Mudavadi expressed his happiness that Munyakho will be back soon to reunite with his family, and commended the collaborative efforts that led to his release.”
