National

Saudi Arabia gives new deadline for execution of Kenyan jailed for manslaughter

Dr Korir Sing'Oei, Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Thursday, June 13, 2024

Munyakho has been in custody for 13 years since April 9, 2011, in Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The execution of Kenyan, Stephen Munyakho, who is held in Saudi Arabia has been postponed after a new deadline for the collection of compensation was set for November 26, 2024.

"Following our intervention, the deadline for the collection of compensation has been extended by four months from the initial July 26, 2024, to November 26, 2024," Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei said on Thursday.

Keep reading

Munyakho has been on death row in Saudi Arabia for over a decade after being convicted of killing a Yemeni national, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh.

Abdul was stabbed and later died in the hospital, while Munyakho sustained injuries.

After a trial, Munyakho was found guilty of manslaughter in 2013 and handed a five-year prison sentence.

However, Abdul's family appealed to a Shariah court, resulting in his sentencing to death, which meant that the father of three would lose his life.

Munyakho has been in custody for 13 years since April 9, 2011, in Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi, "diya" or "blood money" can be paid as compensation for unintentional harm or killing.

In Munyakho's case, the family agreed to pay 3.5 million Saudi Riyals (approximately Sh150 million). This amount must be paid in full for him to be released from prison and for the threat of execution to be lifted.

On May 13, 2024, Saudi Arabia agreed to postpone the execution of Kenyan Stephen Munyakho, which was originally set for May 16, 2024, to allow further negotiations following the 2011 tragedy.

Going further, the Foreign PS lauded the Kenya Mission in Riyadh for their dedicated effort in engaging Saudi authorities and the family of the deceased.

"We intend to further pursue all diplomatic channels available to resolve this matter and bring Stephen home," he said.

In addition, they said that the government and Munyakho's family will start consolidating all fundraising efforts to assess the progress made.

Sing'oei has called on Kenyans to support raising the required 3.5 million Saudi Riyals (approximately Sh120 million at the current exchange rate).