Kenyan Under Saudi Arabia Execution List Receives 4-Month Extention As Foreign Affairs Intervenes
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei announced that the government had made progress in the case of Stephen Munyakho, who is facing execution in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 13, the PS stated that the government had secured an extension to assist Munyakho’s family in raising the Ksh120 million for compensation.
The Kenyan man’s family was ordered to pay Ksh120 million in compensation for the man’s execution after he was sentenced to death following the death of a colleague.
Notably, the deadline for raising the funds was about to expire, so the extension gives Munyakho’s mother more time to raise the funds.
I wish to notify the public that we continue to actively search for the resolution of the outstanding and complex matter regarding Stephen Munyakho. Following our intervention, the deadline for the collection of compensation has been extended by four months from the initial 26th…
— Korir Sing'Oei (@SingoeiAKorir) June 13, 2024
“I wish to notify the public that we continue to actively search for the resolution of the outstanding and complex matter regarding Stephen Munyakho,” the PS stated.
“Following our intervention, the deadline for the collection of compensation has been extended by four months from the initial 26th of July 2024 to the 26th of November 2024.
“I laud the Kenya Mission in Riyadh for their dedicated effort in engaging Saudi authorities and the family of the deceased. We call on everyone’s support in raising the required 3.5 million Saudi Riyals – approximately Kshs 120 million as at the current exchange rate.”
On the other hand, the PS stated that the government would continue to work through diplomatic channels to bring the Kenyan back home.
“We continue to work with Stephen’s family and will consolidate all fundraising efforts on the week beginning July 8, 2024, in order to assess progress made,” Sing’oei added.
“We intend to further pursue all diplomatic channels available to resolve this matter and bring Stephen home.”
Munyakho was sentenced to death by sword after engaging in a fight with a colleague in April 2011. During the fight, the colleague was injured and later died.
Why Kenya Cannot Pay the Ksh120 Million
In May, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musali Mudavi explained that Kenya was unable to pay the compensation due to a lack of funding.
He went on to say that Parliament had not established a fund for such purposes.
“We can focus on the diplomatic interventions but as MPs know there is no fund that we can draw from under such circumstances,” he stated.
“Unless Parliament was to create a fund of that nature, it means that we shall have to continue trying to intervene using the diplomatic channels so that we can save this gentleman.”
Kenyan Under Saudi Arabia Execution List Receives 4-Month Extention As Foreign Affairs Intervenes
