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African Catholic Activists Call for Diplomatic Intervention for Kenyan on Death Row in Vietnam

Silas Isenjia

By Silas Isenjia

Nairobi, 19 March, 2025 / 3:01 pm (ACI Africa).

The African branch of the global Catholic activist organization, CitizenGo, is urging the government of Kenya to pursue diplomatic intervention for a Kenyan who is facing execution in Vietnam.

CitizenGo Africa officials say that the life of Margaret Nduta, a young Kenyan woman, who was sentenced to die in Vietnam following a court ruling in July 2023, supersedes all circumstances.

In their Sunday, March 16 report, CitizenGo officials say, “We urgently petition Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Kenya, to immediately intervene through diplomatic channels.”

They add, “A simple diplomatic call from Nairobi to Hanoi could significantly alter Margaret’s fate by advocating for her sentence to be commuted and served in Kenya, preventing her execution abroad.”

As of Wednesday, March 19, the execution of Ms. Nduta, a 37-year-old Kenyan woman found guilty of drug trafficking, had been postponed, offering a glimmer of hope to her family and supporters.

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Nduta was arrested in July 2023 at Ho Chi Minh City Airport while transiting to Laos, with authorities reportedly discovering two kilograms of cocaine that was concealed in a false compartment of her suitcase.

Despite her claims of being unaware of the suitcase's contents, she was convicted on March 6 and initially scheduled for execution by lethal injection on March 17. The Kenyan government has actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure clemency or a stay of execution for Nduta.

Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, reportedly communicated with Vietnamese officials, expressing the Kenyan people's concerns and requesting a postponement of the execution to explore alternative resolutions.

Nduta's family, residing in Kenya’s Murang'a County, has been fervently praying and appealing to President William Samoei Ruto to intensify efforts toward her safe return.

Her family, which maintains that Nduta was unaware of the drugs in her luggage, suggesting she may have been duped by those facilitating her travel, has expressed profound gratitude for the postponement of the execution.

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Diplomatic negotiations are ongoing, with Kenyan officials seeking a resolution that could allow Nduta to serve her sentence in Kenya.

In their March 16 petition, CitizenGo officials say that Ms. Nduta’s “tragic story highlights the vulnerability of many Kenyans exposing them to exploitation and extreme dangers overseas.”

Silas Isenjia

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.

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