- Munyakho had been involved in an argument which turned violent with his friend and colleague Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh.
- Mudavadi, however, said Kenyans can rally together and contribute resources to help the release of Munyako.
Image: OPCS
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have funds to secure the release of Stephen Munyakho who is jailed in Saudi Arabia.
The CS said that the ministry will continue to engage Saudi Arabia through diplomatic interventions.
Mudavadi said the ministry has not been allocated such kind of a budget.
He, however, said Kenyans can rally together and contribute resources to help the release of Munyako.
The CS added that he has personally reached out to his Saudi Arabian counterpart to try to stay the execution.
"We can focus on the diplomatic interventions but as MPs know there is no fund that we can draw from under such circumstances. Unless Parliament was to create a fund of that nature, it means that we shall have to continue trying to intervene using the diplomatic channels so that we can save this gentleman," Mudavadi said.
"We will do our best in different capacities to call for public appeals to support with resources and based on that we continue to strike up some conversations."
The CS said that the issue of foreign relations should be looked at as a security issue.
"We have budgeted under Public Administration and International Relations but one of the key blanks around this is also promoting and ensuring that there is peace and security," he added.
Mudavadi said that the underfinanced Ministry of Foreign Affairs poses a great security to the country.
His sentiments come days after authorities in Saudi Arabia agreed to postpone Munyakho's execution, which was set for May 15, 2024.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei said the government would take all necessary measures to help Stephen Munyakho come back home.
Munyakho had been involved in an argument which turned violent with his friend and colleague Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh.
In the altercation involving a letter opener, Saleh was stabbed and wounded. He managed to get to the hospital where he later succumbed.
He was also injured but not fatally.
A trial began and Stevo was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.
Saleh's family however appealed at a Shariah court and in a turn from bad to worse, Munyakho was sentenced to death.
This meant that besides having an ‘expiry date’, the Kenyan, who is a father of three – two sons and a daughter, was to face his death with a sword.
Alternatively, a "diya" or "blood money", could be paid as financial compensation to the victim or his heir in cases of murder, bodily harm or property destruction by mistake.
This is provided by the Islamic law.
In Munyakho's case, being manslaughter – killing by mistake- Saleh’s family agreed to 10 million Saudi Arabia Riyals (SAR).
This was, however, negotiated and managed to get it reduced to 3.5 million Saudi Riyals, which translated to approximately Sh150 million.
This is the amount which must be paid, in full, before Munyakho is released and the sword hanging over his head is taken away.
Munyakho's family has been trying to raise funds to secure his release.