Kenya has asked Vietnam to halt the execution of Margaret Nduta Macharia, a Kenyan woman sentenced to death for drug trafficking, as diplomatic efforts for reprieve continue.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei said he spoke with Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang on Sunday, urging Hanoi to grant a stay of execution while both nations explore possible resolutions.
“I conveyed to Madam Hang the anxiety of the Kenyan people on the impending execution of our national and reiterated our request for a stay of execution,” said Sing’Oei.
“I am grateful for her assurance that our petition is under consideration by her country’s authorities.”
Nduta, 37, was convicted on March 6 by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City after being found guilty of smuggling over two kilogrammes of cocaine.
She was arrested in July 2023 while in transit to Laos.
Her family said they only learned of her arrest and sentencing through the internet on March 8.
Her mother, Purity Wangari, has pleaded with the government to intervene and have her daughter repatriated to serve her sentence in Kenya.
Sing’Oei noted that while Kenya lacks an embassy in Hanoi and Vietnam has no diplomatic mission in Nairobi, both governments are seeking a temporary reprieve to allow further negotiations.
“Our Mission in Bangkok is actively following up the case,” noted Sing’Oei.
“We are working together to find some form of initial reprieve to give all parties time to seek a sustainable solution.”
