‘Save Stevo Campaign’ committee says it is yet to receive communication on Sh129.5m settlement
However, in a statement released on Wednesday, the group acknowledged media reports indicating that a benefactor had cleared the remaining 2.9 million Saudi riyals required for Munyakho’s release.
The committee ‘Save Stevo Campaign,’ advocating for the release of Steven Bertrand Munyakho, a Kenyan sentenced to execution in Saudi Arabia, now says that it has not yet received official confirmation regarding the reported payment of his blood money.
This is after United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar on Tuesday announced that the Muslim World League, through its Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, had paid the remaining $1 million (Sh129.5 million) required for Munyakho’s release.
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“The Saudi Arabian ambassador to Kenya and Kenya’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia have confirmed that the request has been honoured. The $1 million has been paid, and the Kenyan will return home safe,” Omar said during an Iftar dinner at State House on Tuesday night.
However, in a statement released on Wednesday, the group acknowledged media reports indicating that a benefactor had cleared the remaining 2.9 million Saudi riyals (Sh100.2 million) required for Munyakho’s release.
Stephen Munyakho, who was on death row in Saudi Arabia, set to return home after the Muslim World League intervened and paid the $1 million (Sh129.5 million) settlement, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar says during an Iftar at State House, Nairobi. pic.twitter.com/t9NMzyWolj
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) March 25, 2025
They said that they were still seeking official communication from relevant authorities.
“We have yet to receive an official communication as a committee. We have contacted government officials in Kenya and Saudi Arabia and will notify the public of the latest developments,” the statement read.
Munyakho was convicted of manslaughter in 2013 following the death of Yemeni national Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh.
The incident, which occurred in April 2011, resulted in Saleh succumbing to stab wounds sustained during an altercation.
Munyakho was initially sentenced to five years in prison, but the victim’s family successfully appealed, leading to an enhanced sentence of execution with an option to pay 3.5 million Saudi riyals (Sh120.9 million) in blood money.
Munyakho has spent the past 13 years behind bars, being held at both Dhaban Prison in Jeddah and Shimeisi Prison in Mecca. Under Saudi law, families of victims can negotiate “diya,” or blood money, as compensation for unintentional harm or death.
While the reports of payment have given hope to Munyakho’s supporters, the committee has urged caution, stating that they will only provide further updates once official confirmation is received.
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