Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan man who spent 14 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, has finally returned home.
He landed at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday night, July 29, shortly before midnight, arriving aboard a flight from Jeddah.
Family members, friends, and government officials, led by Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'Oei, were at the airport to receive him in an emotional homecoming.
Munyakho, visibly overwhelmed but composed, addressed the media and well-wishers shortly after arrival.
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In a brief but heartfelt statement, he expressed gratitude for the support he received over the years during his incarceration.
"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. I'm grateful to Allah for this second chance that I have been granted; It's wonderful to be back home," he said.
Munyakho had been on death row at Shimeisi Prison in Mecca following his conviction for the death of a Yemeni colleague, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh, during a workplace altercation in April 2011.
Initially convicted of manslaughter in October 2011, his sentence was later elevated to the death penalty by a Shariah court in June 2014.
Under Sharia law, the victim's family has the option to accept 'diya' or blood money in lieu of execution.
As such, In 2019, Saleh's family agreed to a compensation of 10 million Saudi riyals (approximately Ksh352.2 million), which was subsequently reduced to 3.5 million riyals (about Ksh129 million) in November 2023.
Due to diplomatic interventions by the Kenyan government, Munyakho's execution was postponed multiple times to allow for the settlement of the blood money.
The initial execution date of May 13, 2024, was extended to November 26, 2024, and later postponed by another year to November 26, 2025.
Munyakho was released from prison on Tuesday, July 22, after the required Ksh129 million blood money was fully paid.
As part of arrangements made by the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh, Munyakho was granted the opportunity to perform Umrah immediately after his release.
The ritual was facilitated through official communication between the Embassy and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Mudavadi notes that upon his release yesterday, Mr. Munyakho was facilitated to perform Umrah (minor pilgrimage) at the request of the Kenyan Embassy to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before being transferred from prison to a deportation centre awaiting clearance for immediate deportation," Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi's office said in a statement.
Additionally, Munyakho’s travel documents were arranged by the Embassy as his original passport had expired during his time in custody.
Saudi authorities also agreed to cover the full cost of his deportation.
"The Embassy has already prepared an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) for Mr. Munyakho, as his passport had expired during his incarceration.
"The Saudi authorities have agreed to cover the full cost of his deportation, and the PCS is now awaiting confirmation of the time of his deportation flight, which could happen today. The government will communicate this as soon as the details become clear," the statement added.
