Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho, a Kenyan man who spent over ten years on death row in Saudi Arabia, has finally been released. His freedom comes after years of efforts by his family, the Kenyan government, and supporters who worked tirelessly to save him from execution. Korir Sing'oei, Kenya’s Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the release on social media. He said that Munyakho had been freed under a "judicial decree," though he did not give more details. Munyakho’s mother, Dorothy Kweyu, a veteran journalist, expressed deep relief and joy upon hearing the news. “

Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho, a Kenyan man who spent over ten years on death row in Saudi Arabia, has finally been released. His freedom comes after years of efforts by his family, the Kenyan government, and supporters who worked tirelessly to save him from execution.

Korir Sing'oei, Kenya’s Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the release on social media. He said that Munyakho had been freed under a "judicial decree," though he did not give more details. Munyakho’s mother, Dorothy Kweyu, a veteran journalist, expressed deep relief and joy upon hearing the news. “I rolled on the floor,” she told local media. Munyakho moved to Saudi Arabia in his early twenties. Fourteen years ago, he was working as a warehouse manager at a tourist resort on the Red Sea when a tragic incident changed his life. In 2011, he got into a fight with a Yemeni colleague. According to his mother, the colleague stabbed him first with a letter opener. Munyakho then used the same object to defend himself, which led to the other man's death. He was first sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter. However, in 2014, an appeal court changed the verdict to murder, which carried the death penalty under Saudi Arabia’s Islamic law. In Saudi Arabia, a death sentence can be avoided if the victim’s family agrees to accept compensation, known as "dihya" or blood money. Earlier this year, the victim’s family accepted $1 million, a payment made by the Kenyan government and the Muslim World League, a charitable organization. Over the years, Munyakho’s execution was postponed several times as Kenyan officials continued to intervene on his behalf. His mother never gave up hope and led a long campaign to save him. After his release, Munyakho performed a minor Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca, known as Umrah, a sign of spiritual gratitude and peace after many difficult years.

A little more informed. A little more connected.