Saudi Arabia has granted Kenya's request to postpone the scheduled execution of Stephen Bertrand Munyakho, a Kenyan man imprisoned in Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca.
Munyakho, now known as Abdulkareem, has been held in various Saudi prisons for 13 years and was originally set to be executed on May 15.
The Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing'oei, has announced that Saudi authorities have agreed to delay Munyakho's execution in order to facilitate further discussions.
Sing'oei expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia's cooperation and stressed the significance of ongoing negotiations to achieve a satisfactory resolution for both families involved. He also mentioned plans to engage with stakeholders in Nairobi and Riyadh, including religious leaders, to determine the subsequent steps.
Stevo, also known as Munyakho, was involved in a violent argument with his friend and colleague, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh.
During the altercation, Saleh was stabbed and injured, while Stevo also sustained injuries but not life-threatening ones.
Stevo was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison. However, Saleh's family appealed to a Shariah court, and Stevo's sentence was changed to death.
This meant that Stevo, a father of three, would face execution by sword. According to Islamic law, an alternative option is to pay "diya" or "blood money" as compensation to the victim or their heir in cases of accidental murder or harm.
In Stevo's case, Saleh's family agreed to a payment of 10 million Saudi Arabia Riyals, which was later negotiated down to 3.5 million Saudi Riyals (approximately Sh150 million).
This full amount must be paid before Stevo can be released and the threat of execution is lifted. Stevo's family has been seeking help to raise the funds, appealing to Kenyans and well-wishers for assistance. A committee dedicated to the "Bring Back Stevo" cause has also requested President William Ruto's assistance.
