Kenyan Margaret Nduta serving life imprisonment in Vietnam after she was found guilty of possession of 2Kilos of narcotic. Photo: Marigiri Facebook.
It was a sigh of relief for Kenyan Margaret Nduta convicted for a death sentence in Vietnam for drug trafficking after Court reviewed her death penalty to a life sentence.
Nduta was arrested in July 2023 after arrival in Hoh Chi Minh for allegedly smuggling in two kilos of narcotic products. According to Vietnam laws, anyone caught carrying at least 100 kilos of narcotics faces a death penalty.
The law was against Nduta, who was found guilty of the offense, but following successful appeal and amendment of the Vietnam’s Penal Code, Nduta was exempted from a lifeline death sentence.
Appearing before the Supreme Court in Hoh Chi Minh, Nduta pleaded against her case that she was on a transit traveler with her destination in Laos, a neigbouring Asian Country.
During the sitting, Nduta further stated that she was arrested after her connecting flight was delayed, while in possession of the drugs, which she claimed were packed without her knowledge.
She pleaded with the Court to reduce her sentence, following latest amendment in the country’s penal code, after being found guilty and her sentenced reversed from death to life sentence. However, she still have a ray of hope, seeking clemency, which solely lies with Vietnamese President.
Kenya had earlier requested for a stay of execution, following her death sentence, which was headed by Prime Cabinet Prime (CS) Musalia Mudavadi and co. followed up with more diplomatic channels to secure her acquittal.
Mudavadi said that the Foreign affairs Ministry is currently repatriating more than 1,000 Kenyans incarcerated abroad. He pleaded with Kenyans to be vigilant on while in other countries, watching laws to avoid plunging themselves in such situations.
“Please, young Kenyans that are going out, remember that the moment you board a plane and the wheels have lifted, when you land in whatever country you’re going into, the laws that apply are not Kenyan laws,” Mudavadi pleaded.
Nduta’s escape to death comes a few days after Kenyan Stephen Munyakho was released from Saudi Arabia Shisemi prison. after a successful appeal by the government. Munyako arrived in the country on Tuesday, terming his release and coming back home a miracle.
Munyakho was to be executed in May, but was postponed after interventions and KSh 129 million blood money was paid, leading to his release.
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