Margaret Nduta Macharia has been sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking, prompting calls for diplomatic intervention. The Kenyan Foreign Ministry acknowledges the case’s complexity as her execution nears. Supporters are advocating for clemency and her repatriation. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations are outlined as cautious but lacking formal agreements, with significant penalties awaiting drug-related offenses in Vietnam.
The Kenyan Foreign Ministry has described the case of Margaret Nduta Macharia, sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking, as “complex and difficult.” As her execution date approaches on Monday, her family and several Kenyans are demanding diplomatic intervention. In March, Ms. Macharia was convicted for smuggling over two kilograms of cocaine by a people’s court in Ho Chi Minh City.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka is among those advocating for Kenya to negotiate with Vietnam to see her repatriated, even if it involves serving her sentence locally. In a letter dated March 14, Senator Onyonka urged President William Ruto and Foreign Affairs officials to seek intervention from Vietnamese authorities for clemency on humanitarian grounds, aiming to have the death sentence commuted to life imprisonment or a lesser penalty.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei acknowledged the challenges of Nduta’s case in a statement on X, emphasizing the Ministry’s efforts to secure a reprieve for her. Subsequently, he communicated with Nguyen Minh Hang, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, requesting a stay of execution. Sing’oei reported that Madam Hang assured him that Kenya’s petition is under consideration by Vietnamese authorities.
Kenya does not maintain a diplomatic presence in Vietnam, with its embassy in Thailand handling such matters. Furthermore, while diplomatic relations are cordial, no bilateral agreements currently exist between the two countries. The last official engagement occurred in 2020, involving a meeting between then-Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Kenya’s then-Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Monica Juma.
As the execution approaches, Nduta is scheduled for her final meal at 7:30 p.m. local time before her execution at 8:30 p.m. Vietnamese law enforces strict penalties for drug offenses, with death sentences applicable to those caught with significant amounts of illegal substances like heroin or cocaine.
Margaret Nduta Macharia’s case in Vietnam raises critical diplomatic concerns for Kenya as execution approaches. The Foreign Ministry acknowledges the complexity of her situation while advocating for potential clemency and repatriation. Despite the challenges, support from family members, lawmakers, and diplomatic efforts underscore the urgency of the matter, particularly given Vietnam’s stringent drug laws. The international diplomatic relationships between Kenya and Vietnam remain a crucial backdrop as this case unfolds.
Original Source: www.citizen.digital
