After more than a decade behind bars in Saudi Arabia and a brush with execution Stephen Munyakho is finally coming home. Now known by his Muslim name, Abdulkareem, the Kenyan national is expected to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) tonight, Monday, July 28, at 11 PM aboard a flight from Jeddah.
Munyakho’s return marks the end of a long, emotional journey that began in 2011 when he was jailed at Shimeisi Prison in Mecca after a deadly altercation with a Yemeni colleague. At the time, Munyakho was working as a warehouse manager. What began as a workplace dispute tragically escalated into a fatal incident, leading to his initial conviction for manslaughter.
Though he was originally sentenced to five years, an appeal later saw the charge upgraded to murder punishable by death under Saudi law. For years, Munyakho faced the terrifying possibility of execution by the sword.
His fate took a dramatic turn when the family of the deceased agreed to accept diyya blood money under Islamic law, offering a lifeline that ultimately spared him from execution. The Kenyan government, through the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, stepped in with diplomatic efforts to facilitate his release.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi personally reached out to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, a move that played a pivotal role in halting the execution and clearing the path for Munyakho’s eventual freedom. He was officially released on July 22, 2025, after Saudi authorities confirmed that all legal conditions had been met.
Although his return was initially scheduled for July 23, logistical delays pushed his homecoming to tonight. The Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary confirmed the new arrival time in a statement issued earlier today.
Munyakho’s story is a sobering reminder of the risks faced by many migrant workers abroad and a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of diplomatic intervention and forgiveness.
