Finally home! Stephen Munyakho in Kenya after nearing his death in Saudi Arabia

Stephen Munyakho is finally in Kenya after landing last night, having spent 14 years in Prison in Saudi Arabia, where he was facing a death sentence.

The 51-year-old was received by his family, led by his mother, veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu.

Filled with joy, tears, and mixed emotions, the family, together with government officials and religious leaders, gathered at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport arrivals terminal to welcome Munyakho back home.

Dorothy rushed into her son’s arms, tears flowing freely.

Others danced, ululated, and raised their hands to the sky in gratitude as a man who once stared at the finality of a public execution in Saudi Arabia, the moment was nothing short of miraculous.

“I am glad to be back home in Kenya,” Munyakho remarked in a quiet voice full of strength as he narrated his experience and expressed his gratitude.

He termed his presence in the country as nothing short of a miracle.

“My presence here today is nothing short of a miracle, and I want to begin by thanking Allah for the gift of life. I also want to thank everyone who prayed for me, encouraged me, and contributed towards my freedom and return home. Some of you I know, but the vast majority, in your tens of thousands, were simply touched by the misfortune of a total stranger,” Munyakho said.

He gave thanks to God for giving him a second chance.

“I am grateful to Allah for this second chance that I have been granted. It is wonderful to be back home,” he added.

His mother could barely contain her emotions.

“I still remember that morning we went to the office of the principal secretary; he never disappoints. I am grateful to God and everyone who immensely supported us,” she said.

Addressing the press at the airport after receiving him, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei shared the efforts by the government and other stakeholders that saw Munyakho regain his freedom.

“Exactly a year ago, on May 14, 2024, Mama Dorothy came to my office with my friend Henry Maina and pleaded with the government to do everything it could to bring her son back home. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how we would do it. The conditions for his release were pretty onerous,” Sing’oei said.

He said that not only had a judgment already been rendered, but all legal appeals had been exhausted and execution dates already set.

The only lifeline was to pay US$1 million, which is approximately Sh129 million diyya, known as ‘blood money’ to the family of the deceased Yemeni man involved in a 2011 fatal altercation with Munyakho. Even then, the family had to agree to accept the payment.

“Notwithstanding those obstacles, the government swung into motion. President Ruto personally wrote to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia,” said Sing’oei.

Sing’Oei said that it took months of back-and-forth diplomatic engagement.

Through the Kenyan ambassador in Riyadh, Mohamed Ruwange, discussions continued with Saudi authorities.

In the end, their prayers were answered.

“One of our pleas to the Muslim World League was successful. I want to pay special tribute to them for honoring that demand of one million US dollars. The result is that today, we are receiving this proud son of our country back home,” he said.

She had knocked on countless doors over the years, hoping against hope that one day she would hold her son again.

Last week, in the days leading to his release, Munyakho was allowed to perform Umrah, which is the minor pilgrimage to Mecca, a symbolic spiritual cleansing before his journey back to Kenya.

His new name, Abdulkareem, was adopted as part of his faith journey during his time in prison.

The now 51-year-old left Kenya in his early 20s to work in Saudi Arabia, seeking better economic prospects.

It was in 2011 that his journey took a tragic turn when he was convicted of manslaughter following a workplace altercation that ended in the death of a Yemeni colleague.

What began as a heated argument escalated, and in the struggle, the victim was fatally injured.

Initially sentenced to five years, his punishment was later upgraded to the death penalty upon appeal in 2014.

Despite numerous appeals, public fundraising efforts had barely scratched the surface, raising about 15 per cent of the amount needed.