14-year wait: Steve Munyakho's mother shares experience of son's detention

In an interview with Citizen TV, his mother, Dorothy Kweyu, shared how the family had to come to terms with the situation following Stevo's 14-year detention in a Saudi Arabian maximum-security prison.

She also appealed to the government for a visa to console the family of Munyakho’s late colleague, who tragically lost his life in a fight. 

Speaking from her home in Machakos County, she struggles to grasp the reality that her firstborn son was granted a second chance at life.

"This is a dream come true, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions. I couldn’t even respond to the overwhelming messages and calls I received. I am grateful for all the support we have received," she said. 

Munyakho’s mother, a devout Christian, said she wholeheartedly embraced her son’s conversion to Islam, a transformation that led him to adopt the name Abdulkareem. Despite the unexpected change, her love and support for him remained unwavering.

"This experience has taught me that we are all serving the same one God, who’s very Polygamous in nature. I accept his will and thank the Muslim Community."

Kweyu firmly insisted that the tragic events leading to the death of Stevo’s colleague in Saudi Arabia in 2011 were purely accidental and never intentional. 

"He told me that this was the first and last fight. Stevo has never been a violent man. It was an unfortunate incident," she added. 

Nonetheless, Stevo’s mother is determined to acquire a visa to meet and console the family of the late Yemeni colleague, who tragically lost his life after a dispute escalated into a fatal altercation with Stevo.

"I am begging to see the mother and widow of the Yemeni family, even though they’ve refused audience all these years." 

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) confirmed that Abdulkareem is finally returning home after the World Muslim League stepped in to pay the remaining Ksh.129 million of the Ksh.150 million required as blood money. 

"As we speak, the victim's family has received the money and the process for Stephen's release is going on," SUPKEM stated. 

As Stevo’s travel documents are being processed by Kenya’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia, his family waits with bated breath to reunite with their son, whom they last saw 23 years ago.

The long and painful separation is finally nearing its end, filling their home with anticipation and joy.