Kenyan Government’s Urgent Efforts to Avert Execution of National in Vietnam
Kenyan MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia reports that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are contacting Vietnam to halt the execution of Margaret Macharia Nduta, who faces death for drug smuggling. The Kenyan government is exploring diplomatic intervention and legal avenues for her defense amidst growing public concern as her execution date nears.
Gatundu North Member of Parliament, Elijah Njoroge Kururia, has disclosed that President William Ruto, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has engaged with Vietnamese authorities concerning the imminent execution of a Kenyan citizen. Margaret Macharia Nduta faces the death penalty in Vietnam after her conviction for smuggling over two kilograms of drugs. She was apprehended at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, a major transportation hub in Vietnam.
Nduta’s case has captured national attention in Kenya, with citizens urging government intervention to halt her execution. Kururia expressed a sense of optimism during a TikTok Live session, indicating that the government made a last-minute effort to secure her release before her execution date on March 16, which is fast approaching. He stated, “I can confirm that the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted Vietnam yesterday and are waiting for feedback.”
The People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City sentenced Nduta to death on March 6, underscoring the strict penalties associated with drug offenses in Vietnam. As per court records, Nduta was accused of receiving $1,300 to transport illicit goods, a claim she staunchly rejected, asserting she believed she was carrying legitimate items.
To potentially save Nduta, the Kenyan government could pursue diplomatic channels, where the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Kenyan Embassy may formally request mercy or a reduced sentence from Vietnamese authorities. Alternatively, her legal team may file an appeal within the Vietnamese judicial framework; however, this is questionable unless new evidence supporting her innocence emerges.
Moreover, President Ruto may personally appeal to Vietnam’s leadership on humanitarian grounds. However, Kenya’s limited diplomatic presence in Vietnam raises concerns about Nduta’s prospects of evading the death penalty as the situation becomes increasingly urgent.
In light of the impending execution of Kenyan national Margaret Macharia Nduta in Vietnam, the Kenyan government has taken steps to intervene through diplomatic channels. With public concern mounting, key political figures have confirmed active discussions with Vietnamese officials. However, the challenges of appealing or securing clemency underscore the urgency and gravity of Nduta’s situation as her execution date approaches.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
