Family reunion marked by happiness and tears as Stevo is released from death row following a reprieve
Stephen Munyakho, known to many as Stevo, has finally returned to his homeland, Kenya, after spending more than a decade in a Saudi Arabian prison. The 51-year-old was convicted of manslaughter following a workplace altercation that tragically led to the death of a Yemeni man in 2011.
The death sentence handed down to Stevo was deferred when the deceased's family agreed to accept diyya, or blood money, a common practice in Islamic law. The payment, amounting to approximately Sh129 million, was facilitated by a combination of funds raised by the Kenyan government and a charitable organisation, the Muslim World League.
The long-awaited moment of Stevo's release was marked by significant diplomatic efforts. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi wrote a personal letter to the Saudi Foreign Minister, appealing for clemency. This plea, coupled with months of ongoing diplomatic engagement, played a crucial role in delaying Stevo's execution.
During his imprisonment, Stevo adopted the name Abdulkareem as part of his faith journey. He spent his time in Shimeisi Prison in Mecca, where he underwent a spiritual transformation. Before his departure from Saudi Arabia, Stevo was allowed to perform Umrah, the lesser Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.
Upon his return to Kenya on July 28, 2025, Stevo was met with an emotional welcome at the VIP Lounge of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). His mother Dorothy Kweyu and father Reuben Maero, who had not seen their son for 14 years, were there to greet him. The arrival terminal was filled with joy, hugs, tears, songs, and prayer.
Stevo's children, Ian, Collin, and Evans, who he left as minors, are now adults who have each carved their own path. Evans, who once clung to his father's jacket and left with him when he was only 10 years old, will no longer have to live with the uncertainty of his father's fate.
The Bring Stevo Back Home campaign, which gained national attention in Kenya, was instrumental in keeping the case in the public eye and sustaining diplomatic engagement by Kenyan authorities to secure Stevo's release. The chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Maurice Muhati, even sent a petition to the late Pope Francis, seeking clemency for Stevo.
In his brief statement upon his return, Stevo expressed gratitude to Allah, those who prayed for him, and the nation for their support. He also shared remorse over the incident that led to his imprisonment.
This case serves as a poignant reminder of the power of community support and diplomatic efforts in securing justice and freedom for those in need.
[1] The Standard, Stevo is finally home, July 29, 2025. [2] Nation, Stevo returns home after 14 years in Saudi prison, July 29, 2025. [3] The Star, Stevo's spiritual journey, July 30, 2025. [4] Daily Nation, Stevo's release: A long journey of hope, July 31, 2025.
"In the wake of Stevo's return, the focus of major news outlets, such as The Standard and Nation, shifted to general-news coverage, providing detailed accounts of his homecoming.
Meanwhile, political discussions started revolving around crime-and-justice, with several analysts questioning the fairness of the verdict and discussing the role of diyya in the case. On the other hand, the epaper sections of these news outlets delved into Stevo's spiritual transformation during his imprisonment, offering insights into his faith journey and his subsequent Umrah pilgrimage."
