Steve Munyakho: Mum Who Rallied Kenyans to Help Son on Death Row in Saudi Speaks after His Release
- Veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu was ungovernable when she learnt that her dear son, Steve Munyakho, had been released
- Munyakho had been convicted after a fight at work led to death, and the only way out was paying KSh 150 million blood money to the deceased's family
- Kweyu rallied hard and involved Kenyans from all walks of life, and now she is happy that things have worked out
Nairobi. Kenya: Former journalist Dorothy Kweyu, who pleaded for her son's life, is over the moon after learning that Steve Munyakho has been released from prison.
Source: UGC
Munyakho was handed the death sentence in 2011 for the murder of Abdul Halim Mujahid Markad Saleh. The latter was a Yemeni citizen. They had an altercation, and Munyakho killed him.
Kweyu first appeared on media stations and online platforms appealing to Kenyans for help to save her son's life by helping to raise KSh 150 million in blood money.
At the time, Munyakho's fate hung precariously, as there were only 10 days left until the deadline set for his execution under the Sharia law.
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Munyankho wanted a better life and went to the Middle East, where he spent 28 years of his life with 13 of them behind bars.
Kenyans from all walks of life contributed heavily, and Hassan Omar of the United Democratic Alliance said the Muslim World League paid KSh 129.5 million so that Munyakho could be released.
Omar said that after the money was successfully paid to the dead man's family, Munyakho would return home from Saudi Arabia.
Source: Facebook
How did Kweyu react to Munyakho's release?
Speaking to NTV, Kweyu said that when she received the call confirming Munyakho was out, she was overwhelmed and wanted to pinch herself to confirm it was for real.
"It has been torture, they were friends and it has not been easy having a sword hanging over your child's head. I haven’t eaten; when I received the news, I rolled on the floor. That is what I did. All this time God kept me going; I was surrounded by very prayerful people. The Abigaels and the PCEA St Andrews Church and other people have been in prayers," she said.
"My family back home, I have been surrounded by prayer. I have always been in prayer for the family of the victim, and remembered the widow who has never made it possible for me to meet her," Kweyu added.
How did government help Munyakho?
In another story, it emerged that the government, through Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei, also came out to help Munyakho.
On Wednesday, May 8, the government instructed Kenya's ambassador, Mohammed Ruwanje, to use every diplomatic solution available and help Munyakho.
At the time, Korir believed that even though Kenyans were coming together to raise the KSh 150 million of blood money compensation, some diplomatic pathways could be used to resolve the issue.
He added that Mohammed met with his counterparts in the Saudi Foreign Affairs ministry.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
