Stephen Munyakho, a 51-year-old Kenyan, was finally reunited with his family on Tuesday morning after spending 14 years on death row in Saudi Arabia.
He arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he was welcomed with tears and joy by loved ones.
Munyakho’s release was confirmed on July 22, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating that an Emergency Travel Document had been issued to facilitate his return after his passport expired during his lengthy incarceration.
He was convicted for the killing of a Yemeni colleague at a Red Sea resort where he worked as a warehouse manager.
According to his family, the fatal incident occurred after Munyakho was attacked with a letter opener and retaliated using the same weapon.
Munyakho’s initial sentencing was five years for manslaughter. However, the verdict was later overturned on appeal, and the charge was elevated to murder, resulting in a death sentence by beheading.
The execution was postponed after the victim’s family agreed to accept diyya (blood money), a form of financial compensation permitted under Islamic law.
Earlier this year, the Kenyan government, with support from the Muslim World League, raised Ksh129 million to settle the compensation claim.
