Kenya Insights

Tag: Stephen Munyakho

  • Stephen Munyakho Breaks Silence on Fight Over Salary That Landed Him on Death Row

    Stephen Munyakho Breaks Silence on Fight Over Salary That Landed Him on Death Row

    Stephen Munyakho, the Kenyan man who spent more than a decade on death row in Saudi Arabia, has finally shared the real story behind his shocking imprisonment.

    While appearing on JKL Live on Citizen TV, Munyakho revealed that a salary dispute with a colleague is what spiraled into a deadly altercation that changed his life forever.

    The long silence surrounding the incident that began in 2011 has now been shattered. Munyakho’s account sheds light on the hidden struggles many Kenyan migrant workers face in Gulf countries—unpaid dues, mistreatment, and fights that escalate beyond control.

    Stephen Munyakho Explains What Led to Deadly Fight in Saudi Arabia

    Stephen Munyakho, now known by his Muslim name Abdul Kareem, described in vivid detail how a salary-related disagreement with a colleague named Abdul Halim turned violent. Both men were working in the accounts department of a restaurant in Saudi Arabia when the clash happened on the night of April 9, 2011.

    Munyakho stated that he was trying to leave work to collect his salary, but his Yemeni colleague refused to let him go. Halim reportedly hurled insults that Munyakho did not fully understand, provoking his anger. However, the disagreement didn’t stop at words.

    “He is the one who started the fight,” Munyakho emphasized. “The knife was his. He tried to stab me first. After he used it on me, I used it on him.”

    The confrontation quickly turned physical. In the chaos, Halim suffered a single stab wound to the chest, while Munyakho sustained injuries to his hand and thigh.

    Despite being seriously hurt himself, Halim delayed going to the hospital—a mistake that proved fatal. According to Munyakho, the death was not directly from the stabbing but due to blood loss from delayed medical attention.

    “It was not intentional. It was just a mistake,” Munyakho said. “We had a misunderstanding which ended in a fight, and then it escalated to stabbings.”

    A Decade Behind Bars and a Death Sentence

    After the incident, Saudi authorities arrested and charged Munyakho. He was convicted of manslaughter, but the charge was later upgraded to murder. This led to a death sentence, putting his life in limbo for years.

    While in prison, Munyakho converted to Islam and became known as Abdul Kareem. He held onto hope that he would one day return home.

    The turning point came when the victim’s family agreed to accept diyya—an Islamic form of blood money that allows forgiveness in exchange for financial compensation. With support from the Kenyan government and the Muslim World League, over Ksh129 million was raised to secure Munyakho’s freedom.

    The final step before his release was performing Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca. On July 22, 2025, Munyakho was officially freed. He landed in Kenya early Tuesday morning, bringing a close to a 14-year nightmare.

    Government Support and a Cautionary Tale

    Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi was present at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to receive Munyakho. His case had drawn attention from human rights activists, religious leaders, and Kenyan diaspora networks who rallied to secure his release.

    Munyakho’s experience is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by many Kenyans working in the Gulf. Cases of unpaid wages, abuse, and even death are not uncommon. His account calls for stronger protections for migrant workers, including better dispute resolution and embassy support.

    What began as a fight over salary turned into a decade-long fight for justice. Munyakho’s story is not just about survival—it’s about the urgent need for better treatment of Kenyan workers abroad.

  • It’s A Miracle! Stephen Munyakho, Kenyan Saved From Death Row in Saudi Arabia Is Finally Back Home

    It’s A Miracle! Stephen Munyakho, Kenyan Saved From Death Row in Saudi Arabia Is Finally Back Home

    The clock had just struck past midnight when the international arrivals terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport transformed into a sanctuary of overwhelming emotion.

    At 12:50 am on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Stephen Munyakho stepped onto Kenyan soil for the first time in 14 years, his freedom purchased not just with money, but with the collective prayers and unwavering determination of a nation that refused to let one of its own perish in a foreign land.

    Dorothy Kweyu had waited 14 long years for this moment.

    As her son emerged from the arrival gates, time seemed to collapse.

    The years of knocking on doors, the sleepless nights filled with worry, the countless prayers whispered in the darkness—all of it dissolved as mother and son embraced.

    Her tears were not just of joy, but of relief so profound that words seemed inadequate to capture the magnitude of this reunion.

    “I’m glad to be back home in Kenya. My presence here today is nothing short of a miracle, and I want to begin by thanking Allah for the gift of life,” Munyakho said, his voice carrying the weight of a man who had stared death in the face and lived to tell about it.

    The walking stick he carried was more than just an aid—it was a symbol of respect for his grandmother, a gesture that spoke to the cultural values that had sustained him through his darkest hours.

    The journey to this moment began in April 2011 when Munyakho, working as a warehouse manager in Saudi Arabia, found himself entangled in a dispute with his Yemeni colleague, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh.

    What started as a workplace disagreement ended in tragedy, with Saleh’s death leading to Munyakho’s arrest.

    Initially convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years, his world crumbled when an appeal overturned the ruling, replacing it with a murder conviction and a death sentence under Sharia law.

    For years, Munyakho’s case became a symbol of the challenges faced by Kenyans working abroad.

    His mother became the face of parental anguish, traversing corridors of power and pleading with anyone who would listen.

    The Bring Back Stevo Strategy Committee emerged as a beacon of hope, coordinating efforts that would eventually span continents and touch hearts across the globe.

    The breakthrough came when the victim’s family agreed to accept diya—blood money—a provision under Islamic law that allows for forgiveness in exchange for compensation.

    The sum was staggering: approximately 150 million shillings. It was an amount that seemed impossible for a single family to raise, but the Kenyan spirit proved otherwise.

    The Muslim World League stepped forward to pay the bulk of the diya, while Kenyans both at home and in the diaspora contributed whatever they could.

    Churches held special prayers, mosques opened their doors for supplications, and social media campaigns kept Munyakho’s story alive in the public consciousness. It was a remarkable display of unity that transcended religious and ethnic boundaries.

    Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei was among the officials who received Munyakho at the airport, representing a government that had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to navigate the complex diplomatic waters.

    The presence of Ambassador Mohammed Ruwange from Saudi Arabia underscored the delicate negotiations that had made this moment possible.

    As Munyakho stood surrounded by family, friends, and well-wishers, the magnitude of what had transpired was not lost on anyone present.

    This was not just about one man’s freedom—it was about the power of collective action, the strength of faith, and the unwavering bonds that tie a people together regardless of distance or circumstance.

    “I’m grateful to Allah for this second chance that I have been granted. It’s wonderful to be back home, but please allow me some time to rest and reorganize myself before I can speak further,” he said, his words measured and thoughtful, those of a man who understood the preciousness of the gift he had been given.

    The scenes at JKIA were a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for hope and perseverance. There were songs of praise, tears of joy, and prayers of thanksgiving.

    Family members who had held vigil for over a decade could finally exhale. The nightmare that had haunted them for so long was finally over.

    Munyakho’s return marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. He comes home to a Kenya that has changed in his absence, but also to a family and community that never stopped believing in the possibility of this day.

    His story serves as a reminder that sometimes, against all odds, miracles do happen—and they often come wrapped in the collective love and determination of people who refuse to give up on one another.

    As the sun rose over Nairobi on July 29, 2025, Stephen Munyakho was no longer a man condemned to die in a foreign land.

    He was simply a son who had come home, carrying with him the scars of his ordeal but also the profound gratitude of someone who had been granted the rarest of gifts: a second chance at life.

  • Ruto’s Direct Appeal to Saudi Crown Prince Helped Secure Munyakho’s Freedom

    Ruto’s Direct Appeal to Saudi Crown Prince Helped Secure Munyakho’s Freedom

    Stephen Munyakho, the Kenyan national who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia for manslaughter, has been released and is expected to return home today following high-level diplomatic intervention that saw President William Ruto directly appeal to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

    Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the release on Wednesday, revealing that President Ruto personally spoke with the Saudi ruler to request a delay in the execution as Kenya pursued the matter diplomatically.

    The execution, originally scheduled for May 15, 2025, was postponed after Mudavadi wrote to the Saudi Foreign Minister appealing for clemency.

    The breakthrough came when the deceased’s family agreed to accept diyya (blood money) totaling approximately KSh 129 million.

    Mudavadi acknowledged the significant financial burden this placed on Munyakho’s family in Kenya, crediting both himself and Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei for persuading the victim’s family to lower the compensation amount to facilitate a faster resolution.

    Following his release on Tuesday, Munyakho was permitted to perform Umrah, a minor pilgrimage, before being transferred to a deportation center.

    The Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh has issued him an Emergency Travel Document since his passport had expired during incarceration.

    Saudi authorities have agreed to cover the full cost of his deportation, with arrangements for his return flight currently underway.

    Mudavadi expressed joy at Munyakho’s impending reunion with his family and praised the multi-agency collaboration that secured his freedom.

    The case represents months of sustained diplomatic engagement between Nairobi and Riyadh, underscoring Kenya’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad.

    The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs thanked the Saudi government for their cooperation in resolving the matter.

  • Kenyan Stephen Munyakho Escapes Execution in Saudi Arabia After Payment of Sh129M ‘Blood Money’

    Kenyan Stephen Munyakho Escapes Execution in Saudi Arabia After Payment of Sh129M ‘Blood Money’

    Freedom after 13 years: The extraordinary journey of a Kenyan man who narrowly escaped death row through diplomatic intervention and Islamic law

    NAIROBI, Kenya – In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated the nation, Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho, a Kenyan who spent more than a decade on death row in Saudi Arabia, walked free on Tuesday morning after the payment of $1 million (approximately Sh129 million) in ‘blood money’ under Islamic law.

    Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed Munyakho’s release at 10 am local time, marking the end of a harrowing 13-year ordeal that began with a fatal altercation between friends in 2011.

    “Our Mission in Riyadh has confirmed that Steve performed his Umra (minor pilgrimage) upon release,” Sing’oei announced in an official statement. “We shall provide further details regarding his arrival in the country. I commend all who have offered their support towards securing this outcome.”

    From friendship to fatal fight

    What started as a heated argument between Munyakho and a Yemeni colleague in 2011 escalated tragically, resulting in his friend’s death.

    Initially charged with manslaughter and sentenced to five years imprisonment, Munyakho’s fate took a dramatic turn when Saudi authorities upgraded the charges to murder, carrying the death penalty under Shariah law.

    The case highlighted the complexities of Saudi Arabia’s justice system, where Islamic law governs criminal proceedings.

    Under this system, the victim’s family holds significant power in determining the perpetrator’s fate, including the option to accept ‘diyah’ blood money in lieu of execution.

    A mother’s unwavering fight

    Central to Munyakho’s salvation was his mother, Dorothy Kweyu, a veteran journalist whose tireless advocacy became the driving force behind his eventual freedom.

    For over a decade, Kweyu campaigned relentlessly, appealing to government officials, human rights organizations, and well-wishers to raise the substantial sum required for her son’s freedom.

    Her persistence paid off when the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims (Supkem) took up the cause.

    After Kweyu personally visited their offices, Supkem began engaging key partners in Saudi Arabia to negotiate Munyakho’s release.

    “Munyakho’s case was given special consideration, given that there was no premeditated intent to kill,” explained Supkem Chairman Hassan Ole Naado.

    “It was observed that Steve never intended to kill the victim given that he and the victim were, in fact, good friends save for the very unfortunate fight that led to the victim’s death.”

    The power of blood money

    The breakthrough came earlier this year when the Muslim World League, with support from the Kenyan government and religious leaders, facilitated the crucial payment of diyah to the victim’s family.

    This ancient practice, rooted in Islamic jurisprudence and endorsed by the Quran, provides an alternative to retributive justice.

    The concept of diyah, originally set by Prophet Muhammad at 100 camels for murder or manslaughter, has evolved in modern times to cash payments that vary by country.

    It serves as compensation to victims or their families and can lead to sentence reduction or, as in Munyakho’s case, complete pardon.

    Today, diyah is applied in approximately 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa, including Sudan and northern Nigeria, offering hope for those caught in similar legal predicaments.

    Diplomatic victory

    PS Sing’oei and Dorothy Kweyu, Steve’s mother in May 14, 2024 as they heightened the efforts for his release.

    The successful resolution of Munyakho’s case represents a significant diplomatic achievement for Kenya.

    UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar revealed that the settlement was secured following direct intervention by President William Ruto, demonstrating the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.

    The case had previously seen several postponements of execution dates, including a reprieve in October 2024 when Saudi authorities delayed Munyakho’s scheduled November execution by one year, providing crucial time for negotiations.

    As Munyakho prepares to return home after performing the Umra pilgrimage a symbolic gesture of renewal and gratitude his case serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the power of persistent advocacy.

    His story highlights the importance of understanding local laws when working abroad, the significance of diplomatic relations, and the role of religious and cultural institutions in international justice matters.

    For the Kenyan community, Munyakho’s freedom represents not just one man’s salvation but a successful example of how government, religious leaders, and civil society can collaborate to protect citizens in distress overseas.

    The exact details of his return to Kenya are expected to be announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the coming days, bringing closure to a case that has gripped the nation for over a decade.