Kenyan MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia reports that President Ruto’s administration has contacted Vietnam regarding the death sentence of Kenyan citizen Margaret Macharia Nduta, convicted of drug smuggling. As her execution date approaches, Kururia remains hopeful while confirming that the government is awaiting feedback from Vietnamese authorities. Two potential avenues for intervention exist: diplomatic requests for clemency and legal appeals, though challenges remain due to limited diplomatic presence.
Gatundu North Member of Parliament Elijah Njoroge Kururia has disclosed that President William Ruto, alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has contacted Vietnamese officials concerning the imminent execution of a Kenyan citizen. Margaret Macharia Nduta faces capital punishment in Vietnam after being convicted of smuggling over two kilograms of drugs, stemming from her arrest at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, a prominent transport hub.
Nduta’s situation has captured national attention in Kenya, prompting widespread calls for government intervention to prevent her execution. With her execution date scheduled for Sunday, March 16, Kururia expressed optimism during a TikTok Live session, confirming that the government made a final effort to save her. “I can confirm that the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted Vietnam yesterday and are waiting for feedback,” he noted.
Despite the outreach, Vietnamese authorities have been steadfast in their position. Kururia reassured the public, stating, “I’ve seen many people asking if the president is aware—yes, he is, and the government is awaiting a response.” On March 6, Nduta was sentenced to death by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court, further underlining Vietnam’s stringent policies against drug-related offenses.
Court documents indicate that Nduta allegedly received $1,300 (about KSh 167,000) for her involvement in transporting the illegal substances, a claim she denies, asserting that she believed she was carrying legitimate goods. The Kenyan government could pursue two primary measures to assist Nduta: a diplomatic intervention or a legal appeal.
Through diplomatic channels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kenyan Embassy might formally request clemency or a reduced sentence from Vietnam. Additionally, Nduta’s legal team could seek a review of her death sentence within Vietnam’s judicial system, although this prospect is limited unless new evidence arises to corroborate her defense. President Ruto could also appeal directly to Vietnam’s leadership on humanitarian grounds, though Kenya’s weak diplomatic presence in Vietnam risks diminishing Nduta’s chances for reprieve, especially with time running short.
In summary, efforts are underway by the Kenyan government to prevent the execution of Margaret Macharia Nduta, who faces the death penalty in Vietnam for drug smuggling. President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have reached out to Vietnamese authorities, but the response remains uncertain. While diplomatic intervention and potential legal appeals are options, the challenges posed by Kenya’s diplomatic standing may hinder Nduta’s chances of avoiding execution.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
