NAIROBI, Kenya β A Kenyan national who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia has been released, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed.
Stephen Abdukareem Munyakho, a 50-year-old former warehouse manager, walked free on Monday morning after what officials said was the βfull satisfaction of judicial decreeβ in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singβoei, in a statement posted on X, announced Munyakhoβs release, adding that Kenyaβs embassy in Riyadh had confirmed the development.
βSteve Abdukareem Munyakho, the Kenyan national who has been on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is free as at 10am today pursuant to the full satisfaction of judicial decree,β PS Singβoei wrote. βOur Mission in Riyadh has confirmed that Steve performed his Umra (minor pilgrimage) upon release. We shall provide further details regarding his arrival in the country.β
Munyakho had been sentenced to death after being convicted of murder, a case that drew attention from human rights advocates and triggered efforts by both the Kenyan government and private actors to secure his release.
While the Foreign Affairs ministry has yet to disclose the details behind the resolution of the case, sources familiar with the matter suggested that the victimβs family had accepted diyaβan Islamic legal term for blood moneyβpaving the way for Munyakhoβs release.
PS Singβoei commended all who contributed to the successful outcome, without naming specific individuals or organisations involved.
Munyakhoβs case had for years remained a source of anxiety for his family and the broader Kenyan diaspora community in the Middle East, where legal systems often differ significantly from those back home.
His release marks a significant diplomatic and humanitarian milestone for Kenya, which has been pushing to strengthen consular support for its citizens abroad.
The ministry said further details on Munyakhoβs return to Kenya will be shared in due course.
