For some Kenyans, the pursuit of opportunity abroad has taken a devastating turn; leading not to prosperity, but to prison cells and, in the most harrowing cases, death row.
From drug-related crimes to allegations of committing heinous crimes, a number of Kenyans have gotten themselves entangled in court battles abroad and got the ultimate punishment; death row.
Some of them include Margaret Nduta, whose case replicates many other victims caught in the unforgiving grip of justice far from home.
Here’s a look at the Kenyans who have faced execution in foreign lands and the circumstances that led them there.
Margaret Nduta
Kenyan Margaret Nduta, 37, was sentenced to death in Vietnam after being caught with over two kilograms of illegal drugs at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
She had been hired in July 2023 by another Kenyan to transport a suitcase to Laos and would receive $1,300, with all the expenses covered.
The drugs were seized by the authorities as they conducted immigration procedures in Ho Chi Minh City, where Nduta claimed not to be aware of the contents of the suitcase. The prosecutors did not accept her defence, and she was found guilty on 6 March 2025.
The Kenyan government has asked for a stay of execution to enable diplomatic negotiations. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei confirmed that talks with Vietnamese officials were ongoing, stating:
"Our team from Bangkok finally secured travel visas and made it to Hoi Chin Mihn Prison in Vietnam where Margaret Nduta is presently held. We can confirm that while deeply distressed, Margaret is coping and has been treated humanely. Though Margaret was not represented by counsel during trial, an appeal filed a few days ago will be heard soon," Sing'oei said on Friday, March 21.
Kenya remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts will lead to a favourable resolution.
Stephen Munyakho
In June 2024, Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan in Saudi Arabia was set to be executed, but the execution was postponed following an intervention by the Kenyan government.
Munyakho is said to have caused the death of Abdul Halim, a Yemeni national, following an altercation in 2011 while working in Saudi Arabia.
He was initially charged with manslaughter before the charges were changed to murder.
The victim’s family then demanded Sh400 million in 'blood money,' which was later reduced to about Sh120 million after negotiations with Munyakho's family.
Initially, the Kenyan government was able to postpone the execution by four months, but later got the period extended by a year to allow parties to settle.
"I am pleased to inform you that after strenuous negotiations between our mission in Riyadh, Saudi authorities and the widow, the impending execution of judgement against Stephen Munyakho (Abdulkareem) due for November 26, 2024 has been postponed for another one year to allow parties settle outstanding obligations, "Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei disclosed.
The negotiations are ongoing on the matter.
Judith Achieng
Kenyan citizen Judith Achieng Odoyo was sentenced to death in August 2012 in Malaysia after she was found guilty of trafficking 3,747.63 grams of syabu (methamphetamine).
The court ruled that the case had been proven beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution and dismissed Odoyo's claim of being an innocent courier.
"I was convinced she knew what she was carrying. The law provided only one sentence for this crime, and that was death by hanging," the judge was quoted by a Malaysian publication.
Odoyo was arrested at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on 1 September 2011 when officials discovered the drugs hidden in her baggage.
She was convicted under Section 39B (1) (a) of Malaysia's Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carried the mandatory death penalty.
It is not clear whether or not her execution took place.
Peter Amisi
Peter Amisi Obonyo, was initially sentenced to death in China after being convicted of drug trafficking in 2008. He had been arrested by the Shenzhen Anti-Smugglers Bureau when attempting to smuggle heroin into the country.
His sentence was subsequently commuted to life imprisonment. His mother, Dorcas Okwisa Oponyo, has since worked tirelessly to have him released or moved to a Kenyan jail but has not been successful due to the lack of an exchange of prisoners treaty between China and Kenya.
She has appealed to various Kenyan leaders to help, but is yet to get a breakthrough.
Other Kenyans on foreign death rows include Christine Nyabera Ongowo, who was convicted of drug trafficking in China; Leah Mweru Kimani, who was arrested with 1,323 grams of heroin hidden in her baggage in Guangzhou, China and Olivia Singaniabe Munoko, a Kenyan student who was sentenced in 2006 for drug smuggling.
In addition, Josephine Achieng Onim and Grace Lucy Omondi were both arrested in Guangzhou at different times and remain incarcerated.
These cases reflect the hard reality for Kenyans involved in drug cases overseas, where stringent anti-narcotics laws usually result in severe punishment, including life imprisonment or the death penalty.
