Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan national who had endured 13 years on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is finally free. The welcome news was officially announced on Tuesday by the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei.

PS Sing’oei communicated the development on his X (formerly Twitter) platform, stating: “Steve Abdukareem Munyakho, the Kenyan national who has been on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is free as at 10 am today pursuant to the full satisfaction of judicial decree”.

Munyakho’s ordeal began in April 2011 when, working as a warehouse manager in Saudi Arabia, he was involved in a fight with a Yemeni colleague.

The colleague later succumbed to his injuries, leading to Munyakho’s conviction in 2012.

PS Sing’oei confirmed that Kenya’s Mission in Riyadh has verified Munyakho’s release and that he, now known as Abdulkareem and identified as the eldest son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu, performed his Umrah (minor pilgrimage) upon regaining his freedom.

The PS added that further details regarding Munyakho’s highly anticipated return to Kenya would be provided in due course. He also commended all those who had been involved in the tireless efforts to secure his release.

In a significant development in March, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar had announced during a State Iftar dinner that the Muslim World League had paid the required Ksh 129 million (blood money) necessary for Munyakho’s release and pardon from execution.

This followed a campaign launched last year under the hashtag #LetsBringBackStevo, which aimed to raise Ksh 150 million from Kenyans.

Munyakho was initially due to be executed last May, but the Kenyan government at the time secured a reprieve from Saudi authorities, pending further negotiations involving diplomats and religious leaders.

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