Confusion hovers around the fate of a Kenyan man, Stephen Munyakho who is set for execution in Saudi Arabia after the family differed with government’s pronouncements that their kin’s death row has been lifted. 

In what could complicate the matter, a communication from the family said they are not aware of UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar’s remarks who declared that Munyakho will return home after a fine of Sh 129.5 million was cleared. 

“The Committee for the release of Steven Betrand Munyakho, the Kenyan, who was sentenced to execution in Saudi Arabia, is aware of media reports and pronouncements that one of the institutional benefactors have paid the balance of 2.9 million of the 3.5 million Saudi riyals blood money set by the court as a condition for his release,” reads a statement from Joe Odindo who chairs the family committee. 

He adds: “ If accurate, this information will be an answered prayer for the many well-wishers supporting the Save Stevo Campaign.” 

Iftar dinner 

Speaking during the State Iftar dinner hosted by Ruto at State House Nairobi, Omar said the Muslim World League paid $1 million (Sh129.5 million) to facilitate his return home. 

“The President made a passionate request regarding a Kenyan who was facing death by beheading for murder. The Saudi Arabian ambassador to Kenya and Kenya’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia have confirmed that the request has been honoured. 

“The $1 million has been paid, and the Kenyan will return home safe,” he said. Munyakho, 50, was a warehouse manager.  He is said to have engaged in a fight with the colleague Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh – at his office on April 9, 2011. Saleh, who was stabbed in the left thigh and thumb, walked himself to a hospital where he later died. 

A Saudi Arabian court convicted Munyakho of manslaughter in October 2011, a sentence that was overturned by a Shariah court, which enhanced it to murder in June 2014. 

Since then, Munyakho has been a state guest in various Saudi prisons. 

According to Sharia law, Munyakho is a candidate for being led to a butchering field for beheading by the sword. The execution was delayed because one of the victim’s sons was a minor and had to attain the age of majority to give consent as per the Shariah law. 

The execution date was initially set for May 13, but after a reported diplomatic engagement by government officials, it was postponed.  After negotiations, in 2019, the Yemeni family agreed to blood money amounting to 10 million riyals, equivalent to Sh352.2 million. 

Further negotiations reduced the amount to 3.5 million riyals last November.