Saudi Arabia Agrees to Postpone Execution of Kenyan National Following Negotiations
Saudi Arabia has consented to Kenya’s appeal to delay the imminent execution of Stephen Bertrand Munyakho, a Kenyan man confined in Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca.
Munyakho, now called Abdulkareem, has served 13 years in various Saudi prisons and was set to be executed on Wednesday, May 15.
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei stated that Saudi authorities had agreed to postpone Munyakho’s execution while further negotiations take place.
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“I am deeply grateful to inform you that authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have kindly granted our request to postpone the impending execution of Stephen Munyakho (now known as Abdulkareem), to allow for further negotiations between all parties,” the PS said on X.
“We will persist in leveraging the enduring friendship shared with our Saudi partners and the goodwill of Kenyans to navigate towards a satisfactory resolution, offering both families the closure they urgently need and deserve,” he affirmed.
Sing’oei further stated that they would engage stakeholders in Nairobi and Riyadh, including religious leaders, to plot the path ahead.
“I want to express appreciation to our teams – both at the Ministry Headquarters and our Mission in Riyadh – for their unwavering dedication,” the PS remarked.
Munyakho, aged 37, was employed in Saudi Arabia and received a death sentence by beheading following his involvement in a dispute with a coworker in April 2011, which resulted in the colleague’s demise.
Saudi Arabia Agrees to Postpone Execution of Kenyan National Following Negotiations