A native of Pumwani, Nairobi, born in 1974 – Stephen Bertrand Munyakho, is facing potential execution in Saudi Arabia on May 15, 2024.
Munyakho was found guilty of murder according to Sharia law and was sentenced to death by beheading.
His family is urgently trying to raise 3.5 million Saudi Arabia Riyals (SAR), equivalent to approximately Sh123.3 million, to pay as blood money (diya) to the victim’s family in exchange for clemency.
They have raised Sh5.5 million so far but need to collect the remaining amount within the next ten days.
Initially, Munyakho was sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter resulting from a dispute with a Yemeni national named Mr. Abdul Halim Mujahid Markad Saleh in 2011. Mr. Saleh passed away in the hospital after the altercation.
The victim’s family appealed the decision, leading the Sharia court to elevate the charges to murder. Munyakho’s execution was postponed because the victim’s son, who was a minor at the time, had to reach adulthood before consenting to the execution.
Munyakho’s mother, Dorothy Kweyu, has appealed for support from the Kenyan public and maintains her belief in her son’s innocence. She has also requested an extension of the deadline and a reduction in the blood money amount from the victim’s family.
Contributions can be made through Paybill number 8056675 under the account name “Let’s Bring Back Stevo” or via M-Pesa number 0702-878-717 with the recipient listed as Dorothy Musopole.
Ms. Kweyu stresses the urgency of the situation and invites anyone willing to contribute. She expresses confidence that with determination, the Kenyan government could provide assistance.
Ms. Kweyu acknowledges the support of the Saudi embassy in Nairobi, praising their consistent involvement in this ordeal.
“I can confidently say that the government, specifically the embassy in Riyadh, has stood by me,” she states, “However, we need that final push to make a difference.”
