Stevo Munyakho, the Kenyan man who spent 14 years imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, has broken his silence with a moving account of remorse, faith, and resilience following his release and return home. Speaking to Citizen TV in an emotional interview, Stevo recounted the events that led to his incarceration and the spiritual journey that sustained him through years of uncertainty and isolation.
Convicted in 2011 for the death of his Yemeni colleague Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh after a workplace altercation, Stevo was initially sentenced to five years for manslaughter. However, the charge was later escalated to murder under Sharia law, placing him on death row. His execution was deferred multiple times as diplomatic and religious negotiations unfolded.
“The tragedy that happened… hurt me so much because I never thought somebody could die from my hands,” he said, expressing deep regret over the incident.
A major breakthrough came in March 2025 when the deceased’s family accepted $1 million (Sh129 million) in diya blood money facilitated by Kenya’s Muslim community, the government, and the Muslim World League. He was officially released on July 22, 2025, performed Umrah, and returned to Kenya on July 29 to a hero’s welcome.
In prison, Stevo experienced a profound transformation. He converted to Islam in 2012, guided by a prison officer who shared comforting words and Islamic literature. “This imprisonment of yours was written for you even before you came from your mother’s womb,” the officer told him a message that deeply resonated.
With limited activities in Shimeisi Prison, Stevo clung to prayer and reflection. The phrase “Kwa Wakati Wake” (“In His Time”) became his mantra, capturing the essence of his newfound faith and endurance.
He recalled initially misunderstanding the phrase Inshallah, feeling betrayed by unfulfilled promises. “Then I later learned that Inshallah indeed is Allah’s will,” he said.
Now free, Stevo expressed gratitude to Allah and hope for the future. “I thank Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala for the gift of new life again, and we’ll pick it from there.”
