The heart-wrenching plight of Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan man facing imminent execution in Saudi Arabia, has prompted a desperate plea from his family and supporters. Munyakho, who has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for the past 13 years, is scheduled to be executed on November 26, 2024, for the 2011 murder of a Yemeni man. The family is now rallying Kenyans and people of goodwill to help raise over Ksh.100 million to secure a pardon and prevent the death penalty.
Dorothy Kweyu, a veteran journalist and Munyakho’s mother, has been at the forefront of this campaign, tirelessly advocating for her son’s release. The appeal is centered on raising the required “Diyah,” or blood money, under Islamic law. This compensation, demanded by the victim’s family, stands at Ksh.150 million. So far, the family has managed to raise Ksh.11 million through public contributions, leaving a significant shortfall of Ksh.139 million.
Joseph Odindo, Chair of the Bring Back Stevo Committee, has made a public appeal, urging Kenyans to contribute generously. “Our target was to raise the Ksh.150 million. So far we have put together about Ksh.11 million, which is less than 20 percent of the required sum. Our purpose now is to renew the targeted initiative by appealing to Kenyans and all people of goodwill to please donate generously to this cause,” Odindo stated. He highlighted a practical way for Kenyans to contribute, suggesting that if 100,000 people donate Ksh.1,000 each, the family would be able to raise Ksh.100 million, bringing them closer to their goal.
Dorothy Kweyu expressed her continued hope and determination despite the financial challenges. “I am in touch with Stevo and as late as last evening, he called… he can call but I cannot call him. He was in good health and I told him we would be having this press conference and he is praying that Kenyans might come out for him,” she added.
The situation has attracted attention from Kenyan officials, but the response has been less supportive than hoped. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi informed the Senate that the Kenyan government does not have a budget allocation to cover the blood money for Munyakho. Mudavadi clarified that while the government has been engaged in discussions, there is no financial provision for such cases, whether in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere. “The family has raised Ksh.10 million. There is no budgetary provision for the government to settle this kind of situation whether in Saudi or any other country,” Mudavadi said.
Munyakho’s case has drawn significant public sympathy, and the ongoing appeal reflects a broader effort to gather support and funds. His family remains hopeful that through collective effort, they can meet the financial requirements and secure a pardon. The urgency of the situation, coupled with the lack of government support, underscores the critical need for public donations and international solidarity.
As the execution date approaches, the family’s appeal continues, underscoring the poignant struggle of a mother fighting to save her son from a dire fate. The outcome of this campaign will depend on the generosity of the Kenyan public and the effectiveness of the ongoing fundraising efforts.
