Nairobi, Kenya — After 14 years behind bars in Saudi Arabia, Stephen Munyakho, now known by his Islamic name Abdulkareem, is finally back on Kenyan soil. He landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 11:00 p.m. on July 28, arriving from Jeddah, following his release from Shimeisi Prison in Mecca Governorate.
Munyakho was arrested in April 2011 after a violent altercation with a Yemeni colleague at a warehouse in Saudi Arabia where he worked as a warehouse manager. The colleague later died from his injuries, setting off a legal saga that nearly ended in Munyakho’s execution.
From Manslaughter to Death Row
Initially, Saudi authorities charged Munyakho with manslaughter, and he was sentenced to five years in prison. However, following an appeal by the victim’s family, the charge was elevated to murder, a capital offense in Saudi Arabia that carries the death penalty by sword.
The ruling drew global attention and growing concern from human rights organizations and Kenyans living abroad. Munyakho remained imprisoned under the shadow of execution for years.
A turning point came when the deceased’s family agreed to accept “diyya” — Islamic compensation or blood money — in lieu of execution. Under Saudi law, such a settlement can result in clemency for the accused if the victim’s kin accept the payment.
Through the combined efforts of the Kenyan government, private benefactors, and international Muslim charitable organizations, Munyakho’s release was negotiated. The family of the deceased received Ksh.129 million, largely facilitated by the Kenyan government and the Muslim World League, a Saudi-based charity.
High-Level Government Involvement
The Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, led by Musalia Mudavadi, played a critical role in finalizing Munyakho’s release. Mudavadi wrote a formal letter to the Saudi Foreign Minister seeking clemency, and followed up on the terms of the settlement with Riyadh.
In a statement on Monday, the Office confirmed that Munyakho’s release was granted after full satisfaction of a judicial decree, and he was cleared for deportation earlier this month. He spent a short period in a Saudi deportation facility awaiting documentation before being flown home.
Before his departure, Munyakho was granted permission to perform Umrah, the Islamic minor pilgrimage, in Mecca. The act was both symbolic and spiritual — a way of seeking personal peace after more than a decade of isolation, trauma, and legal battles.
A Delayed but Joyous Return
Munyakho was originally scheduled to return on July 23, 2025, but administrative delays in processing his clearance postponed his flight. His arrival on July 28 marked a long-awaited moment for his family and the Kenyan public, many of whom had followed his case over the years.
Dozens of relatives, community leaders, and government officials were expected at JKIA to receive him.
The news of Munyakho’s return has been met with relief, gratitude, and reflection. Many Kenyans have taken to social media to express thanks to the Kenyan government, the Muslim World League, and the legal teams involved in securing his release
Hashtags like #WelcomeBackMunyakho, #JusticeServed, and #ThankYouMudavadi are trending online, as Kenyans celebrate the rare outcome of a capital case resolved through diplomatic and religious channels.
Now back in Kenya, Stephen Munyakho — or Abdulkareem — faces the task of rebuilding his life. His supporters have called for counseling, reintegration support, and national recognition for surviving what few Kenyans ever do: a death sentence in a foreign land.
