Stephen Munyakho finally released from Saudi jail, to return to Kenya: PS Sing’oei

Stephen Munyakho, the Kenyan man who faced execution in Saudi Arabia, has been freed and is set to travel back home, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei announced on Tuesday.

Munyakho, now called Abdulkareem, was jailed in Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca and was freed at 10 a.m. local time (10 a.m. East Africa Time), upon satisfaction of judicial decree.

“Our Mission in Riyadh has confirmed that Steve performed his Umra (minor pilgrimage) upon release,” the PS said in an X post on Tuesday.

The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims, which can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to the Ḥajj, which has specific dates.

While sometimes considered the "lesser pilgrimage" in comparison to Ḥajj, both are demonstrations of the solidarity of the Muslim people and their submission to Allah.

“We shall provide further details regarding his arrival in the country. I commend all who have offered their support towards securing this outcome,” King’oei added.

Munyakho was working in Saudi Arabia as a warehouse manager and was sentenced to death by the sword after being involved in a fight with a Yemeni colleague in April 2011. The colleague succumbed to injuries. 

The Kenyan was due to be executed last May, but Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry at the time said Saudi authorities agreed to put it off pending further negotiations involving not only diplomats but religious leaders.

In March, UDA party Secretary-General Hassan Omar announced that Nairobi and Riyadh had reached a release agreement, and a $1 million (about Ksh. 129 million) settlement was paid.

During a state Iftar dinner hosted by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, Omar said Muhammad Al-Issa – the Saudi religious leader and Secretary General of the Muslim World League, who attended last year’s state Iftar dinner – was involved in the talks.

Omar further told Citizen Digital at the time that President Ruto approached Dr Issa during his Kenyan visit, adding that the Muslim World League paid the $1 million.

The league is a Mecca-based international Islamic NGO that promotes what it calls the true message of Islam by advancing moderate values.