Stephen Munyakho expected in Kenya later today after release from Saudi death row
President Ruto spoke directly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, urging for clemency and a delay in execution.
Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan national who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia for manslaughter, is expected to arrive back in Kenya as early as today.
His release follows months of sustained diplomatic negotiations at the highest levels of government in Nairobi.
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The breakthrough, announced on Wednesday, is being framed as a major diplomatic win for Kenya, after President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi personally intervened in the case.
"The release followed a sustained diplomatic negotiation spearheaded by President William Ruto, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs," read a statement from Mudavadi's office.
Munyakho's sentence had initially been deferred in 2024 following an official intervention by Mudavadi.
"I wrote to the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, intervening on behalf of Mr Munyakho. The execution was deferred and did not take place," he told the Senate at the time.
President Ruto also spoke directly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, urging for clemency and a delay in execution.
The Kenyan government then embarked on negotiations with the family of the deceased, who had demanded compensation—commonly referred to as diyya (blood money).
The amount, initially steep, was reportedly negotiated down to about Sh129 million.
Upon his release on Tuesday, Mr Munyakho was permitted to perform Umrah—a minor pilgrimage—at the request of the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh.
He was later transferred from prison to a deportation centre where he awaits final clearance for travel.
His passport had expired during incarceration, but the Embassy prepared an emergency travel document, and the Saudi authorities agreed to cover the cost of his deportation.
"The PCS and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of Kenyans abroad," the statement said, adding that Kenya is grateful to Saudi Arabia for its cooperation.
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