A Kenyan man has been freed after spending more than 10 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, a senior official said on Tuesday, July 22.
Steve Abdulkareem Munyakho, reported to be in his 50s, was convicted of murdering a Yemeni colleague in 2011 while working as a warehouse manager in Saudi Arabia, according to independent television channel Citizen.
“Steve Abdulkareem Munyakho, the Kenyan national who has been on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is free as at 10 am today pursuant to the full satisfaction of judicial decree”, Korir Sing’Oei, the principal secretary of Kenya’s foreign ministry, said on X (formerly Twitter).
“Our mission in Riyadh has confirmed that Steve performed his Umra (minor pilgrimage) upon release,” he added.
“We shall provide further details regarding his arrival in the country. I commend all who have offered their support towards securing this outcome.”
Munyakho’s mother, Dorothy Kweyu, confirmed her son’s release to Kenyan news network NTV late on Tuesday.
The Kenyan man’s release followed the acceptance of $1 million in blood money or diyah by the Yemeni victim’s family after protracted negotiations, as per multiple media reports.
The money was reportedly paid by the Muslim World League, a Mecca-based global non-governmental organisation.
Munyakho was due to be executed in 2024, but Kenya’s foreign ministry at the time said Saudi authorities had agreed to put it off pending negotiations involving diplomats and religious leaders.
