SUPKEM confirms payment of Sh129.5 million for the release of Stephen Munyakho

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) has confirmed the payment of Ksh 129.5 million for the release of Kenyan national Stephen Munyakho, who was convicted of manslaughter in Saudi Arabia.

Addressing the press today, SUPKEM national chairman Haji Hassan ole Naado explained that amount was paid by the Muslim World league saving Munyakho from being executed in the Arab Country.

He stated that the payment was made a month ago after sustained efforts between them and other partners.

ole Naado explained the steps that they took after the mother of Munyakho made an appeal last year and visited their offices.

He said after Munyakho’s mother visit to their office, they immediately began engaging partners in Saudi Arabia.

He stated that the case gained traction in August last year when SUPKEM hosted the Muslim World League leaders.

Ole Naado revealed that it was during the meeting that the organization’s Secretary General, Mohamed Abdul Karim Alissa, was informed of Munyakho’s case and was urged to intervene.

According to the SUPKEM chairman, because Munyakho and the victim were friends before the tragic altercation that led to the fatality, the matter was given priority within the Muslim World League.

“Since I sit in the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League, the case was made an important agenda item,” he explained, adding that the organisation recognised that Munyakho never intended to kill the victim.

He stated that the recognition led to the decision to authorise the $1 million (Ksh 129.5 million) payment demanded by the victim’s family, ensuring that Munyakho would be spared from execution.

ole Naado further confirmed that the family of the deceased has already received the money, and the Saudi Arabian authorities are now working on the necessary administrative processes for Munyakho’s release

He shared that he has been in direct communication with the office of the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, the Saudi Ambassador to Kenya, and Kenya’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, all of whom have assured him that the procedures for his release are underway.

“Once these administrative procedures are completed, our brother will, by the Grace of Allah, be set free and allowed to return home,” he stated.

SUPKEM extended gratitude to individuals and institutions that played a key role in ensuring Munyakho is free.

The revelation about the release of Munyakho, who has been behind bars in Saudi Arabia were made early this week by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar during an Iftar dinner at State House.

The son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu was convicted in 2013 for manslaughter following the death of Yemeni national Abdul Halim Saleh.

The two had an altercation, and Saleh succumbed to his injuries.

He was initially sentenced to five years in prison, but the victim’s family successfully appealed, leading to an enhanced sentence of execution with an option to pay 3.5 million Saudi riyals (Sh120.9 million) in blood money.

Munyakho has spent the past 13 years behind bars, being held at both Dhaban Prison in Jeddah and Shimeisi Prison in Mecca.

Under Saudi law, families of victims can negotiate blood money as compensation for unintentional harm or death.