Gatundu North MP Kururia revealed that President Ruto is in talks with Vietnamese officials to halt the upcoming execution of Kenyan Margaret Macharia Nduta, convicted of drug smuggling. With her execution date set for March 16, the Kenyan government is exploring diplomatic interventions and legal appeals, though challenges remain due to the strict Vietnamese legal system and Kenya’s weak diplomatic presence.
Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia has disclosed that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are in communication with Vietnamese officials regarding the execution of a Kenyan citizen, Margaret Macharia Nduta. Nduta faces the death penalty after being convicted of drug-smuggling at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, where over two kilograms of drugs were found in her possession.
The impending execution, scheduled for March 16, has sparked considerable concern in Kenya, prompting public calls for governmental action. During a TikTok Live session, Kururia expressed optimism about the government’s last-minute effort to intervene, stating, “I can confirm that the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted Vietnam yesterday and are waiting for feedback.”
Despite these efforts, Kururia mentioned the firmness of the Vietnamese authorities on the matter, reassuring the public by stating, “The Vietnamese authorities have remained adamant. I’ve seen many people asking if the president is aware—yes, he is, and the government is awaiting a response.”
On March 6, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court issued a death sentence against Nduta, reflecting Vietnam’s stringent laws against drug crime. Court records indicate that Nduta was allegedly offered $1,300 (around KSh 167,000) for transporting the drugs, which she vehemently denies, claiming she believed she was carrying legitimate items.
To potentially alter Nduta’s fate, the Kenyan government may engage in diplomatic interventions by requesting clemency through the Kenyan Embassy. Alternatively, her legal team might file an appeal in the Vietnamese judicial system, although this is expected to be difficult without new evidence supporting her claims. Furthermore, President Ruto could petition Vietnam’s leadership directly on humanitarian grounds. However, Kenya’s limited diplomatic presence in Vietnam may hinder Nduta’s chances as the execution date approaches.
The article highlights the urgent diplomatic efforts by Kenya, led by President Ruto and MP Kururia, to prevent the execution of Kenyan national Margaret Macharia Nduta, who faces a death penalty in Vietnam for drug smuggling. Despite ongoing government communication with Vietnamese authorities, Nduta’s situation remains precarious, underscoring challenges in international diplomacy, especially given Vietnam’s strict drug laws and Kenya’s limited diplomatic footprint in the region.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
