A Kenyan man freed from Saudi death row has finally been released after more than a decade. Stephen Munyakho, who faced execution since 2011, walked free under a “judicial decree,” according to Kenyan officials. His emotional mother, journalist Dorothy Kweyu, celebrated the news with overwhelming relief.
Initially, he received a five-year sentence for manslaughter. However, an appeal court later upgraded the charge to murder, which carried the death penalty. For years, his family fought tirelessly to overturn the ruling.
Thanks to diplomatic negotiations, the victim’s family agreed to accept dihya (blood money) instead of execution. Reports indicate that Kenya’s government and the Muslim World League contributed $1 million to secure his release.
Dorothy Kweyu never gave up on her son. She campaigned for years, appealing to Kenyan and Saudi authorities for mercy. “I rolled on the floor in joy,” she told local media. She confirmed that Kenya’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia verified the release.
Munyakho, now in his 40s, had moved to Saudi Arabia for work in his early 20s. He worked as a warehouse manager at a Red Sea resort when the tragic incident occurred. According to Kweyu, a dispute turned violent when his coworker stabbed him first. Munyakho retaliated, leading to the fatal altercation.
Saudi Arabia follows strict Islamic law, which allows death sentences to be commuted if the victim’s family accepts compensation. Kenyan officials repeatedly intervened to delay Munyakho’s execution.
Following his release, Munyakho performed the minor Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. “This satisfaction is going to stay with me for a while,” Kweyu said.
The case highlights the complexities of international legal systems and the power of persistent advocacy. For Munyakho, freedom marks the end of a nightmare. For his family, it’s a moment of long-awaited victory.
The Kenyan man freed from Saudi death row is finally getting a second chance at life. His story serves as a reminder of hope, resilience, and the importance of diplomatic intervention in saving lives.
Now, as Munyakho prepares to return home, Kenya celebrates the triumph of justice and humanity. The Kenyan man freed from Saudi death row is no longer a prisoner but a symbol of perseverance against all odds.
