Dorothy Kweyu: Govt Moves To Save Kenyan Man Facing Death Sentence In Saudi Arabia

• Dorothy Kweyu's son was involved in an altercation with the late in Saudi Arabia in 2011, culminating in a murder conviction under Sharia law
• Kweyu initiated an unwavering campaign for her son's redemption, rallying support from Kenya and beyond
• The government said that they are using every possible diplomatic solution to save Kweyu's son from execution

Veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu's son, Stephen Munyakho, is facing a death sentence in Saudi Arabia over a case of murder.

After residing in Kenya for 22 years, Stephen sought financial stability and educational prospects in the Middle East. He has spent the subsequent 28 years in Saudi Arabia.

Nevertheless, his aspirations were dashed following a tragic altercation with Abdul Halim Mujahid alias Saleh in 2011, culminating in a murder conviction under Sharia law.

How is Dorothy Kweyu trying to help her son?

Kweyu, Stephen's committed mother, on Wednesday, May 8, initiated an unwavering campaign for her son's redemption, rallying support from Kenya and beyond.

While appreciating the victim's family for stepping back, she said that she still has to fulfil the court's order to pay the equivalent of KSh 150 million by May 15, 2024, for him to be released.

Faced with a formidable challenge, she implored her fellow citizens to collectively empathize and contribute toward the substantial sum of blood money necessary for Stephen's release.

Kweyu also implored the Kenyan government to intervene diplomatically, potentially offering surety or negotiating with Saudi authorities on humanitarian grounds.

How did the govt respond?

The government, through Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei, outlined the government's stance on the matter.

While speaking to Citizen TV on Wednesday, May 8, Korir said that the government has instructed Kenya's ambassador to the Middle East nation, Mohammed Ruwanje, to use every diplomatic solution to help Munyakho.

"The door is not quite shut yet. We believe that even though it is a great thing for Kenyans to try to rally together to raise the KSh 150 million of blood money compensation, we think there are diplomatic path ways that can be used to resolve this issue," he said.

He added that the Kenyan ambassador met with his counterparts in the Saudi Foreign Affairs ministry, and talks pertaining to the matter are ongoing.

Jowie Irungu sentenced to death

Earlier, on March 13, Joseph Irungu alias Jowie was sentenced to death.

Lady Justice Grace Nzioka delivered the verdict after she convicted him of murder on February 9 this year.

He was accused of killing businesswoman Monica Kimani in September 2018.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke