Kenyan National Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho Freed from Saudi Death Row After $1 Million "Blood Money" Payment
Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho, a Kenyan national who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia since 2013, has finally been released. His freedom, officially confirmed on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, marks the culmination of over a decade of intensive diplomatic efforts, fervent appeals from his family, and the successful payment of $1 million in "blood money," known as diya under Islamic law.
The Case and Conviction:
Munyakho, who moved to Saudi Arabia in his early twenties for work, was employed as a warehouse manager at a resort near the Red Sea. In 2011, a fatal altercation occurred involving a Yemeni colleague, Abdul Halim Mujahid. Initially, Munyakho was sentenced to five years for manslaughter. However, this verdict was overturned in 2014 following an appeal by the victim's family, which led to the charge being upgraded to murder and a subsequent death sentence under Saudi Arabia's Sharia law.
Years of Diplomatic and Family Efforts:
Munyakho's case garnered significant attention in Kenya, largely due to the tireless campaign led by his mother, veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu. She relentlessly appealed to the Kenyan government, human rights organizations, and well-wishers to intervene and secure her son's release from execution.
The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs played a crucial role in these efforts. Through repeated diplomatic interventions, Munyakho's execution was successfully postponed twice in 2024 (first in May and again in October). These crucial delays provided the necessary time for complex negotiations to take place.
The "Blood Money" Settlement:
The breakthrough in the case came through a $1 million (approximately KSh 129.5 million) settlement, known as diya. This form of compensation is permitted under Islamic law and can lead to forgiveness or a reduced sentence in capital cases if accepted by the victim's family.
This substantial payment was primarily brokered and facilitated by the Muslim World League (MWL), a prominent Saudi-based charity, with significant support and coordination from the Kenyan government. The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) also played a pivotal role in mobilizing support and assisting with the facilitation of the payment. The achievement of this diplomatic milestone was publicly announced in March 2025 during an Iftar dinner at State House, Nairobi, where UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar confirmed the payment. President William Ruto is also reported to have made a passionate personal request to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a delay in the execution to allow for these critical negotiations.
Release and Immediate Aftermath:
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei officially confirmed Munyakho's release, stating that he was freed at 10:00 AM local time on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, "pursuant to the full satisfaction of judicial decree." Upon his release from Shimeisi Prison, a facility often associated with immigration detention in Saudi Arabia, Munyakho immediately performed Umrah, a minor Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. This spiritual act is often undertaken to signify purification, gratitude, and renewal.
Logistics for his repatriation to Kenya are currently underway, and he is expected to reunite with his family shortly, bringing a definitive end to his 13 years on death row.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
