A Kenyan man due to be executed in Saudi Arabia has had a last-minute reprieve following a large-scale social media campaign.
Stephen Munyakho, son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu, received the death penalty in 2011 following a fatal fight with a colleague in the Gulf nation.
According to the Bring Back Stevo campaign, run by Munyakho's supporters, both workers "sustained stab wounds" but only Munyakho survived.
Consequently Munyakho was handed the death sentence.
Under Saudi law, a death sentence can be lifted if the family agrees to get compensation instead.
His family back home in Kenya have been attempting to raise the required blood money, which is three-and-a-half million Saudi riyals ($940,000; £750,000), for the deceased's family.
On Monday, just two days before Munyakho was due to be executed, Kenya's Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs said Saudi Arabia had "kindly granted" the government's request to postpone the death in order to allow for "further negotiations between all parties".
Korir Sing'Oei wrote on social media platform X: "As we devise strategies to bring this matter to a more acceptable conclusion, and thereby giving both families the closure they so urgently need and deserve, we shall continue to lean on the warm and solid friendship that we have with our Saudi partners, as well as on the goodwill of all Kenyans."
Latest Stories
-
Chile issues tsunami warning after earthquake
7 minutes -
Ananse Studios: Blackstar Experience to facilitate Hollywood standard film hub – Rex Omar
14 minutes -
Parliament’s Agric Committee chair leads delegation to 10th Our Ocean Conference in South Korea
24 minutes -
‘I was born Ivorian’ – Bank boss barred from running for president tells BBC
30 minutes -
U-20 Afcon: Black Satellites poised for opener against DR Congo
33 minutes -
Petroleum Hub Project embodies Ghana’s quest to lead Africa’s energy sector – Deputy CEO
35 minutes -
My own people underrated me – BlaKid
39 minutes -
APC President pays courtesy call on Nigeria High Commissioner to Ghana
47 minutes -
Meeting Shatta Wale was a dream come true – BlaKid
52 minutes -
Minister of Energy and Finance engage Karpower on legacy debt
53 minutes -
Joy FM to honour mothers with ‘Safari Day Out with Mama’
1 hour -
Trading, parking on streets must cease effective May 5 – KMA
1 hour -
Ghana School Feeding contracts terminated nationwide
1 hour -
Shaifest 2025: Bra Jay partners with Pauline Ngugi to support ALS patients
1 hour -
KATH CEO relieved of his duties, gov’t to announce replacement soon
2 hours