A Kenyan, Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho, a Kenyan man who has spent 13 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, has been released following the payment of $1 million (Ksh129 million) in blood money, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei confirmed Tuesday morning.
Munyakho was convicted in connection with a 2011 workplace incident that tragically led to the death of a colleague. He was sentenced to death under Saudi Arabia’s qisas (retribution) laws, which allow the victim’s family to accept diya (blood money) in exchange for a pardon.
“This is a moment of immense relief. The Kenyan government, in collaboration with well-wishers and advocacy groups, worked tirelessly for over a decade to negotiate this outcome,” said PS Sing’oei.
The payout of the hefty $1 million compensation paved the way for Munyakho’s freedom, ending years of legal limbo and uncertainty.
Human rights groups have previously raised concerns over the legal protections afforded to migrant workers in the Gulf region, often calling for more diplomatic safeguards.
Munyakho is expected to return to Kenya in the coming days, where his family and supporters are preparing a warm welcome.
