The family of Stephen Bertrand Munyakho, a Kenyan man facing execution in Saudi Arabia, has a temporary reprieve after his death sentence was postponed by one year.
Known by the nickname Stevo, Munyakho was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia following a fatal altercation with a colleague in April 2011.
The fight resulted in the colleague’s death, and Saudi authorities later sentenced Munyakho to execution by the sword.
The Kenyan government, through negotiations led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, secured the delay.
PS Sing’oei announced on Thursday that discussions between Kenya, Saudi officials, and the deceased’s widow led to the decision to postpone the scheduled November 26, 2024, execution.
The extension grants both families additional time to “settle outstanding obligations.”
Under Saudi law, Munyakho can receive a pardon if he pays “diyah,” or blood money, totaling Ksh.150 million to the victim’s family. This sum is a significant challenge for Munyakho’s family, which has so far managed to raise Ksh.11 million, largely due to the efforts of his mother, Dorothy Kweyu, a journalist who launched the “Bring Back Stevo” campaign to rally support from Kenyans.
PS Sing’oei expressed gratitude to Saudi Ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ruwange for supporting the family’s cause and aiding the negotiations. As the families continue raising funds,
Munyakho’s family remains hopeful that the extra year will bring them closer to securing his release and return to Kenya.
By Vivian K.