Ksh.129M paid for Stephen Munyakho’s release from Saudi jail: Hassan Omar

Stephen Munyakho, the Kenyan man who faced execution in Saudi Arabia is set to return home after Nairobi and Riyadh reached an agreement and a $1 million (Ksh. 129 million) settlement paid, UDA party Secretary-General Hassan Omar has said.

Munyakho was working in Saudi Arabia as a warehouse manager and was sentenced to death by the sword after being involved in a fight with a Yemeni colleague in April 2011. The colleague succumbed to injuries. 

The Kenyan was due to be executed last May but Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry at the time said Saudi authorities agreed to put it off pending further negotiations involving not only diplomats but religious leaders.

During a state Iftar dinner hosted by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, Omar announced that the negotiations had borne fruit.

Omar said Muhammad Al-Issa, the Saudi religious leader and Secretary General of the Muslim World League who attended last year’s state Iftar dinner, was involved in the talks.

The UDA SG cited Kenyan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohamed Ruwange and his Saudi counterpart Khalid Al-Salman.

“They have confirmed that the request has since been honoured, the $1 million paid, and the Kenyan will return home safe,” said Omar.

“Kenyans should, however, be warned to honour the laws of the territories they live in. The government can intervene, but it has limitations.”

Omar further told Citizen Digital President Ruto approached Dr Issa during his Kenyan visit, adding that the Muslim World League paid the $1 million.

The league is a Mecca-based international Islamic NGO that promotes what it calls the true message of Islam by advancing moderate values.

Munyakho, now called Abdulkareem, was jailed in Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca.

Per the UDA SG, Kenya is now processing Munyakho’s release and travel documents.

Citizen Digital has reached out to Munyakho’s family for comment.