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Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan who is set to be executed in Saudi Arabia, faces a dire situation and has issued a heartfelt plea for assistance.
Munyakho was born Stephen Bertrand Munyakho on March 5, 1974, in Pumwani, Nairobi. On July 24, 2024, he shared his tragic story at a press conference.
The eldest of nine siblings, Munyako left Kenya at the age of 22 in 1996 after completing his studies at Nyang’ori Boys High School. Although he initially intended to pursue further studies in the United States, he found work in Saudi Arabia and decided to stay. However, his life took a tragic turn in 2011.
While working as a warehouse manager, Muniako got into a physical altercation with his Yemeni colleague, Abdulhalim Mujahid Makrad Saleh. The altercation left Saleh dead and Muniako injured. Muniako was sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter. He had hoped to start over before his 40th birthday, but the case took a turn.
Following an appeal by the family of the Yemeni colleague, the Sharia court sentenced him to death, but under Islamic law the execution was postponed until Saleh’s youngest child turned 18.
Munyakho explained, “The matter went to trial and I was sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter. This meant I could have been released at 40. Some say life starts at 40 – and I was ready to start a new life. But it wasn’t. Abdul’s family appealed to the Sharia court, which ruled that I must be executed under Sharia law. That’s why I’m now being held in Shimeshi prison in the Mecca area.”
He continued, “I should have been executed long ago, but Abdul Halim’s youngest child was only five when he died. He had to be 18 before he could agree to my execution. In the meantime, the family softened their stance and said I could be released by paying ‘blood money’.”
150 million Kenyan shillings blood money
The family demanded 150 million Kenyan shillings as “blood money” for Munyakho’s release. Although negotiations continued and the family’s attitude gradually softened, Munyakho’s family was poor and could not pay the money.
Therefore, a campaign called “Let’s bring back Stevo” has been launched to raise the necessary funds to prevent Muniako’s execution, scheduled for November 26, 2024.
The “Bring Back Stevo” campaign has raised 1.1 million Kenyan shillings so far, thanks to donations from Kenyans. Munyakho expressed his gratitude, saying: “Since this first came to the attention of Kenyans, there has been an outpouring of help. Donations have poured in from all over. A 1,000 shilling here, 200 shillings there. An inquiry here, an ardent plea there. They have given me hope.”
The event chairman, Joseph Odindo, highlighted the support of prominent figures such as Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, Musalia Mudavadi, and Kenya’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Ramadan Luwange. Odindo urged Kenyans to continue to be generous, stressing that if 100,000 people each donated Kshs1,000, the event would be closer to achieving its goal.
Odindo’s message resonated with Munyakho, who agreed with his sentiments: “Odindo’s words resonate widely: ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. We have faith and we believe that Kenyans have always shown extraordinary spirit when faced with difficulties in the past.'”
Munyakho echoed Odindo’s call to action and stressed the campaign’s objectives: “If 100,000 Kenyans each donated Sh1,000, we would be closer to our goal.”
Donations can be made through M-Pesa PayBill number 8056675, account name “Let’s Bring Back Stevo” or by calling Dorothy Musopole directly on 0702878717.
Munyako remains hopeful that continued support will help prevent his execution and secure his release.
“Thank you everyone.” He concluded.
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