Kenyan Man on Death Row in Saudi Arabia Receives Reprieve

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — In a dramatic turn of events, Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan man facing execution in Saudi Arabia, has been granted a temporary reprieve thanks to a vigorous social media campaign.

Munyakho, the son of veteran Kenyan journalist Dorothy Kweyu, was sentenced to death in 2011 after a fatal altercation with a colleague that resulted in both parties sustaining stab wounds; however, only Munyakho survived.

The social media campaign, dubbed "Bring Back Stevo," rallied support for Munyakho, highlighting the severe consequences of the altercation and his impending execution.

Under Saudi law, a death sentence can be lifted if the victim’s family agrees to accept compensation instead of execution. Munyakho's family has been trying to raise the required "blood money" — amounting to three-and-a-half million Saudi riyals (approximately $940,000 or £750,000) — to compensate the deceased’s family.

The reprieve came just two days before the scheduled execution, when Kenya's Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs announced that Saudi authorities had postponed the death sentence to allow further negotiations.

Korir Sing'Oei expressed gratitude towards the Saudi government on social media platform X, emphasizing the ongoing diplomatic efforts and the importance of the supportive relationship between Kenya and Saudi Arabia.

He noted the necessity of reaching a resolution that provides closure for both families involved.

The case has drawn significant attention both within Kenya and internationally, underscoring the complex interplay of international law, diplomatic relations, and public advocacy in capital punishment cases abroad.