Kenyan Stephen Munyakho convicted for in Saudi Arabia has been released. Photo: Courtesy.
Steve Abdukareem Munyakho, Kenyan man convicted for manslaughter in Saudi Arabia over 10 years ago is a free man. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing’oei has announced Munyakho, who was facing execution has been released.
Munyakho, now called Abdulkareem, was jailed in Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca and was freed at 10 a.m. local time (10 a.m. East Africa Time), upon satisfaction of judicial decree.
“Our Mission in Riyadh has confirmed that Steve performed his Umra (minor pilgrimage) upon release. We shall provide further details regarding his arrival in the country. Kenyan national who has been on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is free as at 10 am today pursuant to the full satisfaction of judicial decree,” Sing’oei posted on his X.
The PS expressed his gratitude to the joint efforts by Kenyans, who contributed to the negotiation for the release of Munyakho.
This comes after it was announced in March by UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar that Nairobi and Riyadh had reached an agreement, and a $1 million (Ksh.129 million) settlement was paid.
Omar had confirmed at Iftar dinner hosted by President William Ruto that Saudi religious leader and Secretary General of the Muslim World League, was involved in the talks.
Munyakho was working in Saudi Arabia as a warehouse manager, when he was sentenced to death by the sword following a fatal altercation with a Yemeni colleague in April 2011. The colleague later succumbed to injuries sustained during the fight.
He was due to execution in May, but Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry at the time said Saudi authorities agreed to put it off pending further negotiations involving not only diplomats but religious leaders.
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