1,000 Kenyans imprisoned in various countries abroad, Mudavadi reveals

At least 1,000 Kenyans have been jailed in various countries across the World for various offences, including drug traficking.

This was yesterday revealed by the Foreign Affairs and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi as he cautioned Kenyans to be careful and obey the laws of the countries they visit.

The PCS emphasised that the laws of the host countries apply to the crimes committed and not the Kenyan (Home Country) laws.

“About 1,000 Kenyans are facing incarceration,” he stated.

He stated that some of the cases involve misdemeanors while others are serious offences.

Mudavadi, who is also the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS, added that the ministry is still collecting data

He stressed that Kenyans need to be cautious and avoid falling into traps as he urged them to be good citizens in Kenya and abroad.

“The moment you board a plane and land in another country, their laws apply according to where you are. Please respect the laws,” Mudavadi stated.

The revelations by Mudavadi come against the backdrop of Margret Nduta’s case who has been sentenced to death in Vietnam and was to be executed early this week.

He stated that even though the government is working towards resolving the case for Nduta, he said it is unfortunate that she is facing the situation.

Mudavadi added that his ministry is seeking mitigation even as he called on Kenyans to respect laws of every country.

“It is not a pleasant situation but we hope a solution is found even though we need to address some issues,” The CS reiterated.

He emphasised that Kenyans should not be perceived as conduits for illicit trade, human trafficking, illegal firearms, drugs, and contrabands.

Nduta who was to face execution via lethal injection after she was found guilty of possessing 2Kgs of cocaine hails from Kiharu, Murang’a County.

Her family held prayers this week as they urged the government to intensify diplomatic efforts for her repatriation.

Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei revealed that Kenyan envoys in Thailand have been sent to negotiate a stay in the execution of the 37-year-old lady from Murang’a.

Though the PS had earlier on said the case is a difficult one, he assured that the deputy foreign affairs minister for Vietnam assured him that the petition of Kenya was under consideration.

“Had a telephone conversation this afternoon with my counterpart, Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, over the matter of Margaret Nduta,” he stated.

“I conveyed to Madam Hang the anxiety of the Kenyan people over the impending execution of our national and reiterated our request for a stay of execution to allow our two countries to find a path to resolving the issue,” the PS added.

The move came after Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Embakasi East Member of Parliament Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino appealed to President William Ruto to help save her.