Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan national who was facing execution in Saudi Arabia, is set to return home following an agreement between Nairobi and Riyadh, confirmed by UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar.
A $1 million (approximately Ksh. 129 million) settlement was paid to facilitate his release.
Munyakho, formerly employed as a warehouse manager in Saudi Arabia, was sentenced to death after a fatal altercation with a Yemeni colleague in April 2011. The colleague later succumbed to injuries, leading to Munyakho’s conviction.
His execution, initially scheduled for May last year, was postponed due to diplomatic and religious negotiations.
During a state Iftar dinner hosted by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, Omar announced that the discussions had yielded a positive outcome. He credited Muhammad Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, for his role in the negotiations, alongside Kenyan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohamed Ruwange and Saudi diplomat Khalid Al-Salman.
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“The request has been honored, the $1 million settlement paid, and Munyakho will return home safely,” stated Omar. He also cautioned Kenyans abroad to respect local laws, emphasizing that while government intervention is possible, it has limitations.
Omar further revealed that President Ruto contacted Dr. Issa during his visit to Kenya, which played a key role in securing Munyakho’s release. The Muslim World League, a Mecca-based international Islamic NGO dedicated to promoting moderate Islamic values, reportedly covered the settlement.
Munyakho, since adopting the name Abdulkareem, was held at Shimeisi Prison in Mecca’s Governorate. According to the UDA Secretary-General, Kenyan authorities are now finalizing his release and travel documents to facilitate his return.
