Ruto’s Direct Appeal to Saudi Crown Prince Helped Secure Munyakho’s Freedom

Stephen Munyakho, the Kenyan national who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia for manslaughter, has been released and is expected to return home today following high-level diplomatic intervention that saw President William Ruto directly appeal to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the release on Wednesday, revealing that President Ruto personally spoke with the Saudi ruler to request a delay in the execution as Kenya pursued the matter diplomatically.

The execution, originally scheduled for May 15, 2025, was postponed after Mudavadi wrote to the Saudi Foreign Minister appealing for clemency.

The breakthrough came when the deceased’s family agreed to accept diyya (blood money) totaling approximately KSh 129 million.

Mudavadi acknowledged the significant financial burden this placed on Munyakho’s family in Kenya, crediting both himself and Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei for persuading the victim’s family to lower the compensation amount to facilitate a faster resolution.

Following his release on Tuesday, Munyakho was permitted to perform Umrah, a minor pilgrimage, before being transferred to a deportation center.

The Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh has issued him an Emergency Travel Document since his passport had expired during incarceration.

Saudi authorities have agreed to cover the full cost of his deportation, with arrangements for his return flight currently underway.

Mudavadi expressed joy at Munyakho’s impending reunion with his family and praised the multi-agency collaboration that secured his freedom.

The case represents months of sustained diplomatic engagement between Nairobi and Riyadh, underscoring Kenya’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs thanked the Saudi government for their cooperation in resolving the matter.