Stephen Munyakho Speaks Out After 14 Years on Death Row in Saudi Arabia: A Story of Conflict, Regret, and Survival

Kenyan national Stephen Munyakho has opened up about the events that led to his 14-year ordeal on death row in Saudi Arabia, shedding light on a tragic confrontation that changed the course of his life. In an emotional interview with Citizen TV’s Ayub Abdikadir on JK Live, Munyakho recounted the dispute with a Yemeni colleague, Abdul Halim, that escalated fatally and led to his incarceration and near execution.

A Salary Dispute Turns Deadly

Munyakho explained that the conflict started with a disagreement over salary payments. On the day of the incident, he intended to collect his wages, but Abdul Halim allegedly refused to let him leave the premises.

“It was a salary-related dispute,” Munyakho explained. “I was supposed to go and collect my salary, but he was not willing to let me go. I ended up getting angry. Then, he used words that were not very good, and I couldn’t take them. So we started a fight.”

The Fight and Its Deadly Consequences

According to Munyakho, the situation quickly escalated into physical violence. He stated that Abdul Halim was the first to initiate the attack, stabbing him in the hand and thigh with a knife commonly used in their office.

Bleeding profusely, Munyakho was rushed to the hospital where doctors told him he barely survived. “I lost a lot of blood. I was given two pints of glucose in just seven minutes between our residence and the hospital. They said if I had delayed, I would have died,” he recalled.

The weapon, a knife allegedly belonging to Abdul Halim, was typically used for office tasks, though a security guard later testified to having seen Halim wield it regularly.

After being attacked, Munyakho claims he grabbed the same knife and used it on Halim, who suffered a stab wound to the chest. Halim later succumbed to his injuries.

“I Couldn’t Believe It”: Munyakho Reflects

Munyakho expressed deep regret and disbelief upon learning that Abdul Halim had died. “When they told me Halim had passed on, I could not believe it. I was like—how? Me? No,” he said. Reflecting on his actions, he admitted, “I lacked patience at that time.”

The Aftermath: Conviction and Death Sentence

Munyakho was convicted of murder and sentenced to death under Saudi Arabia’s strict legal system. For over 14 years, he lived under the threat of execution. His case drew attention from human rights advocates, his family, and the Kenyan government, who appealed for clemency on his behalf.

One path to possible release involved “blood money”—a legal provision under Islamic law that allows for compensation to the victim’s family in exchange for a pardon. Kenyan officials worked to raise the required funds and engage in diplomatic negotiations for his freedom.

Hope After Years of Uncertainty

Munyakho’s case has become emblematic of the dangers faced by Kenyan migrant workers in foreign countries, especially in the Gulf region. It also highlights the importance of legal support and diplomatic intervention for citizens abroad.

While his future remains uncertain, Stephen Munyakho’s survival and eventual return home offer a powerful, cautionary tale about conflict, justice, and the enduring hope for redemption.