Principal Secretary (PS) for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei has acknowledged the complexities surrounding the case of Margaret Nduta Macharia, a Kenyan national sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking.
In a statement shared via his official X account on Sunday, March 16, 2025, Sing’oei expressed gratitude towards Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka for his petition to President William Ruto concerning Nduta’s situation, emphasizing that the government is utilizing all available resources to secure a reprieve for her.
“Thank you Hon.@RichardOnyonka_ for your Petition. Nduta’s case is complex and difficult but we are doing everything within our disposal to secure a reprieve for our national,” Sing’oei admitted.
Onyonka’s petition
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Onyonka shared a letter directed at the head of state. In his lengthy letter, Onyonka implored Ruto to explore the possibility of leniency and repatriation in her case.
“While acknowledging the sovereignty of the Vietnamese judicial system, the Government of Kenya must intervene to ensure that Ms Macharia’s life is preserved and that she is given an opportunity to serve an appropriate sentence in her home country under Kenyan law,” Onyonka’s letter read in part.
“Kenya has, on numerous occasions, stood for justice and the humane treatment of its citizens worldwide. It is my sincere hope that, through your leadership, a diplomatic resolution can be reached to save Ms. Macharia’s life and allow her to face justice in her home country.
Nduta’s case
Nduta was arrested in July 2023 while travelling to Laos and found with said illicit drugs and convicted on March 6, 2025, for trafficking two kilos of cocaine and is now facing execution scheduled for Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Vietnam has among the world’s toughest narcotics laws, where anyone found guilty of trafficking 100 grams or more of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, or amphetamine faces the death penalty.
Drug trafficking remains widespread, however, with 41,400 suspects arrested in 26,469 cases in 2023, up from 36,000 traffickers and 24,000 cases in 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Public Security.
In addition to Onyonka, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi also pleaded with the Kenyan government to intervene.
” I want to ask and request President Ruto to help this Kenyan called Margaret Nduta who is supposed to be hanged/killed tomorrow. This lady did no crime, she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She should not be hanged. We as Kenyans should stand behind our own, I know that he has the power to call the Vietnam President. Even if it’s to exchange with one corrupt cabinet secretary. We should not lose this lady. Mr.President kazi kwako,” Babu Owino stated.
“The story of Margaret Nduta is horrific.The primary responsibility of any government is to offer human security to her citizens from whichever part of the world,as long as your ID reads a citizen of the Republic of Kenya. The legitimacy of a government is conditional to its ability to protect her the citizens.It is appalling that Kenyan citizens often find themselves on their own and facing imminent threats to their lives under the full glare of apathetic government, “Caleb Amisi stated.
