It’s a miracle, says Stephen Munyakho on arrival in Kenya after 14 years in Saudi jail

Stephen Munyakho, is now back in Kenya after spending 14 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, following a protracted legal and diplomatic effort that saved him from execution.

Munyakho landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday morning from Jeddah and was received by his family, the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, and members of the Bring Back Stevo Strategy Committee.

His return marked the end of a harrowing chapter that began in 2011 when he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death by the sword after a fatal altercation with a colleague.

In a brief address on Monday night, Munyakho expressed deep gratitude.

“I’m glad to be back home. My presence here today is nothing short of a miracle, and I want to begin by thanking Allah for the gift of life,” he said.

Munyakho also went ahead and thanked everyone who prayed for him, encouraged him, and contributed towards his 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,” he said

“I’m grateful to Allah for this second chance that I have been granted. It’s wonderful to be back home, but please allow me some time to rest and reorganise myself before I can speak further,” he added.

Munyakho had been working as a warehouse manager in Saudi Arabia when a dispute with his Yemeni colleague, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh, turned fatal in April 2011.

He was initially found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to five years, but the ruling was overturned on appeal, leading to a murder conviction and a death sentence under Sharia law.

The sentence was eventually suspended after the victim’s family accepted diya (blood money), and Munyakho was released on July 22, 2025, after the conditions of the judicial decree were met.

Munyakho had been scheduled to return a day later, but the journey was delayed.

The Bring Back Stevo Strategy Committee, which has been instrumental in securing his freedom, also welcomed him home.

“His arrival this morning from Jeddah is the result of a lengthy battle fought in Saudi courts and a fundraising campaign supported by Kenyans and foreigners of goodwill. They battled to free Stephen from a sentence of execution imposed by a Sharia court, which had convicted him of manslaughter in connection with the death of a colleague in 2011,” they said in a statement.

The committee highlighted the major financial and diplomatic efforts that enabled his release, including the Sh150 million diya paid to the family of the deceased.

“We especially thank the Muslim World League for paying the bulk of the Sh150 million diya to the family of the late Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh, whose death led to Munyakho's conviction,” they stated.

“We also thank all those who contributed to the fundraising efforts and who offered prayers for Munyakho's release,” they added.

The committee also acknowledged key government officials who supported the campaign to free Munyakho.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei and Kenya’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange, for the relentless efforts they made to secure Munyakho's release.”