‘Be Careful …!’ – Gov’t Warns Kenyans In Diaspora After Margaret Nduta Fiasco
Musalia Mudavadi, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, has issued a warning to all Kenyans living in the diaspora following the death sentencing of a Kenyan woman in Vietnam.
Mudavadi has cautioned Kenyans not to fall into the trap of illegal operations, despite the fact that a large percentage of persons leaving the nation for jobs in Asia fall victim to scamming and other unlawful transactions.
“We need to be careful that Kenyans who are stepping out into the diaspora do not fall into the trap of engaging in any illegal activities. It’s absolutely important that this is taken,” Mudavadi asserted.
Musalia Mudavadi on Margaret Nduta's case
— The Fourth Eye News (@fourtheyenews) March 22, 2025
"It is unfortunate that a Kenyan is facing this kind of situation,it is not a pleasant situation and the ministry of foreign affairs has been trying to converse with its counterparts in Vietnam to see if there can be mitigation " pic.twitter.com/ilZQwTrhUu
This follows the high-profile case of Margaret Nduta Macharia, 37, who was condemned to death in Vietnam for cocaine trafficking.
Nduta, who was detained in July 2023 at Ho Chi Minh City Airport with more than two kilograms of cocaine hidden in her luggage, was sentenced last week.
During the trial, she stated that she was unaware of the medicines.
She claimed that a friend named “John” had given her the luggage to transport from Nairobi to another person in Laos in exchange for Ksh168,350 and airfare.
Nduta was not represented by counsel, prompting the government to act.
Kenya and Vietnam have begun discussions to establish a common ground, with Kenya hoping that the death sentence would be overturned.
In response, Mudavadi emphasized that Kenyans should recognize that Kenyan laws do not apply in the countries to which they migrate.
“One of the things I’ve been emphasising is that please, the 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. They are the laws of that respective country,” he said.
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Warning, “So please, respect the law. We have to be very clear about this. And we have to be collective and understanding on this matter.”
Kenyans are among those allegedly arrested for smuggling drugs and other commodities, primarily to India and other Asian countries.
Just last month, in February, 14 Kenyans were among 18 individuals arrested at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for attempting to smuggle gold and diamonds into India.
The suspects had concealed the precious items in their clothing and luggage.
‘Be Careful …!’ – Gov’t Warns Kenyans In Diaspora After Margaret Nduta Fiasco
