Margaret Nduta’s family holds prayers as Vietnam execution deadline passes

The family of Margaret Nduta is holding on to hope after she was spared from a scheduled execution on Monday evening.

With a renewed sense of faith, the family gathered for prayers on Tuesday, urging the government to step up diplomatic efforts to secure the 37-year-old woman’s repatriation to Kenya.

“Asante sana Mr. President, kwa sababu mtoto wangu hakuuliwa, naomba sasa aletwe Kenya,” said Nduta’s mother, Purity Wangari.

Nominated MP Sabina Chege noted: “There is a lot of diplomacy and a lot of communication going on, but the best of it is that Nduta is not going to be hanged now. The government will give its position once the negotiations are done.”

Nduta was set to face execution on Monday evening by lethal injection following her conviction on drug trafficking charges.

She was arrested in 2023 when she arrived at an airport in Vietnam's capital in possession of two kilograms of cocaine. However, her family strongly maintains she was set up.

“Walikuwa wasichana wawili, Nduta akaambiwa yeye ndio atakuwa wa mwisho kutoka. Vile siku yake ya kutoka alifika, aliniambia amenunuliwa bag juu yake ni ndogo na ni mzee. Akaambiwa atoe nguuo zake aweke kwa hiyo bag ingine,” said Nduta’s sister Wambui Macharia.

As the clock ticked towards her execution date, the Kenyan government swung into action seeking a stay of execution or clemency.

It appears the efforts, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have bought Nduta some precious more time. But as the family keeps hope alive that Nduta will escape the death punishment, an area MP says the government needs to tighten the scrutiny and the regulations around employment agencies that allegedly lure unsuspecting Kenyans into lives of crimes, but at the same time, urging caution.