A Mother’s Desperate Plea to Save Son from Beheading in Saudi Arabia

A phone call shattered Editor Dorothy Kweyu’s world thirteen years ago.

Her son, Stephen Bertrand Munyakho who was working in Saudi Arabia had been involved in a fatal altercation with a colleague. The initial shock was compounded by the revelation that the colleague had actually died. This tragic event marked the beginning of a long and arduous ordeal for Dorothy.
The family’s grief was further intensified by the loss of a young daughter-in-law on the same day due to childbirth complications. It seemed like misfortune had struck them with a cruel blow, echoing the Swahili proverb “Hakuna msiba usiokuwa na mwenzake” (Misfortune never comes singly).

Stephen, also known as Stevo, found himself embroiled in a legal nightmare, facing a murder trial. While the initial sentencing of five years in prison brought some relief, it was short-lived. The Yemeni family of the deceased in 2014 appealed to the Shariah court, invoking their right to retaliation under Islamic law. This appeal overturned the 2011 ruling and condemned Stephen to death by beheading. Dorothy was devastated by the prospect of losing her son. Since a child from the Yemeni family was involved, the execution had to be delayed until the child reached 18 to share his view on the execution of his father’s killer.

Islamic law offered a potential path to resolving the situation through the concept of “diya” or “blood money.” However, negotiations with the victim’s family proved difficult, as they were determined to exact revenge. Dorothy’s fight for her son’s life transcended national borders. She sought help from the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and engaged in diplomatic channels. However, communication with Stephen was restricted, and expressing condolences to the grieving family was impossible, leaving her feeling helpless.

While intervention from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) St. Andrew’s offered a glimmer of hope, secular efforts held little sway in Shariah matters. Dorothy clung to her faith, praying for a miracle that would bring Stevo home safely. A breakthrough finally arrived through delicate negotiations led by embassy representatives. The victim’s family agreed to accept Diya as a settlement. However, the challenges continued. The initial sum demanded was a staggering 10 million Saudi Arabian Riyals. Raising such a large amount within a tight deadline became a pressing concern.

Dorothy appealed to the Kenyan diaspora community in Saudi Arabia whose swift fundraising efforts provided a critical lifeline. As of the latest update, contributions from family friends, the Diaspora community in Saudi Arabia, and inter-governmental efforts have managed to raise approximately Sh2.5 million towards the required amount for the diya settlement. This sum falls short of the total needed to secure Stephen Bertrand Munyakho’s release from Saudi’s Shimeisi prison.