Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has called on the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations to intervene in the case of Margaret Nduta Macharia, a Kenyan citizen sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking.
In his request, Onyonka urged the Committee to clarify what steps the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking to ensure Macharia receives fair legal representation.
He also pushed for diplomatic efforts to secure her repatriation so she could face trial under Kenya’s judicial system.
The senator further called for a review of possible clemency appeals, emphasizing the need to have her death sentence reduced to life imprisonment or a lesser penalty.
He sought clarification on whether diplomatic negotiations are underway to facilitate her return to Kenya to serve her sentence.
Onyonka also demanded a comprehensive report on the number of Kenyans incarcerated abroad, including details on their charges and the government’s efforts to safeguard their rights and welfare.
Additionally, he raised concerns over security weaknesses at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), questioning how drug trafficking continues despite existing security measures. He called for an update on what new strategies are being implemented to curb the illicit trade.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi has assured Kenyans that the government is actively working to prevent Ms. Macharia’s execution.
“It is unfortunate that a Kenyan is facing this kind of situation—it’s not a pleasant situation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in particular my Principal Secretary, has been in talks with his counterpart in Vietnam to see if there can be some mitigation in this process,” Mudavadi said on Wednesday.
“We hope there can be some success so that there is no summary execution,” he added.
Beyond Ms. Macharia’s case, the government is also reviewing the status of other Kenyans imprisoned abroad. Mudavadi revealed that his office is compiling data to guide interventions.
“We have a total of about 1,000 Kenyans in different countries facing incarceration for various offenses,” he stated.
According to the government, many Kenyans arrested for drug trafficking abroad—especially women—are often lured into the illegal trade. The Foreign Affairs Ministry is now urging travelers to remain cautious to avoid falling victim to criminal syndicates.
“Please, young Kenyans traveling abroad, remember that the moment you board a plane and the wheels lift off, when you land, the laws that apply are not Kenyan laws,” Mudavadi cautioned.
He also stressed that the government is committed to preserving Kenya’s reputation as an anti-drugs country.
“Vietnam has its own judicial processes, and we want to make it clear that we do not want Kenya to be seen as a conduit for illicit trade—whether drugs, human trafficking, or any other contraband. If you’re traveling and you’re allowing someone else to pack your bags, how sure are you that the person packing your bag is Jesus?” Mudavadi remarked.
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