Kenya’s government is making last-minute efforts to secure reprieve for Margaret Nduta Macharia, a Kenyan woman sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has assured the public that all possible diplomatic avenues are being explored to save Nduta’s life.
“Nduta’s case is complex and difficult, but we are doing everything within our means to secure reprieve for our national,” Sing’oei stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). This is the first official response from the Kenyan government following widespread calls for diplomatic intervention.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka had earlier appealed to President William Ruto to intervene, citing the urgency of the matter as Nduta was reportedly just hours away from execution. In his letter dated March 14, Onyonka urged the government to pursue clemency and possible repatriation.
“This distressing development calls for urgent diplomatic intervention to safeguard her fundamental rights and explore the possibility of clemency and repatriation,” Onyonka wrote. While acknowledging Vietnam’s judicial sovereignty, he emphasized the need for Kenya to engage the Vietnamese government, the United Nations, and international human rights organizations to secure a more lenient sentence.
Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia also confirmed that diplomatic efforts were underway. During a TikTok Live session, he stated that President Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had reached out to the Vietnamese authorities and were awaiting their response.
Onyonka proposed three key options for intervention: a plea for clemency to commute Nduta’s death sentence to life imprisonment or an alternative penalty, diplomatic negotiations to repatriate her to Kenya to serve her sentence under local laws, and engagement with international human rights bodies to support Kenya’s efforts in securing her fair treatment.
As the clock ticks, Kenya’s diplomatic mission remains hopeful that a resolution can be found. The case has drawn attention to the plight of Kenyans detained abroad and the role of diplomatic channels in advocating for their rights.
