Kenyan MP Discloses Last-Ditch Efforts to Prevent Execution of National in Vietnam

Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia revealed that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are trying to intervene with Vietnamese authorities regarding the imminent execution of Kenyan national Margaret Macharia Nduta, convicted of drug smuggling. Nduta’s case has garnered significant attention, with various intervention strategies being considered, but the chances of success are complicated by tight deadlines and diplomatic limitations.

Gatundu North Member of Parliament, Elijah Njoroge Kururia, has disclosed that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are in communication with Vietnamese authorities concerning the imminent execution of a Kenyan national. Margaret Macharia Nduta faces the death penalty in Vietnam for drug smuggling, specifically for carrying over two kilograms of narcotics. Her arrest occurred at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, a major transit hub in the country.

Nduta’s situation has captured considerable attention across Kenya, prompting citizens to advocate for governmental intervention to prevent her execution. With her execution scheduled for Sunday, March 16, Kururia expressed optimism during a TikTok Live session, stating that the government has made last-minute efforts to rescue her. “I can confirm that the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted Vietnam yesterday and are waiting for feedback,” he noted during the session.

The Vietnamese authorities have remained resolute in their decision. Kururia reassured the public, explaining that President Ruto is fully aware of the situation and the government is currently awaiting a response from Vietnam. On March 6, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court sentenced Nduta to death, imposing a strict stance against drug-related offenses in the country.

Court documents revealed that Nduta was allegedly compensated $1,300 (approximately KSh 167,000) for transporting the illegal substances; however, she has denied these accusations, claiming she believed she was carrying legitimate merchandise. The Kenyan government may seek to intervene through diplomatic channels by formally requesting clemency for Nduta or advocating for a reduced sentence from Vietnam’s authorities.

Alternatively, Nduta’s legal representatives could pursue an appeal in Vietnam’s judicial system; however, this route is less likely to succeed without new evidence supporting her claims. President Ruto has the option to directly appeal to the leadership of Vietnam on humanitarian grounds, yet Kenya’s weak diplomatic ties in Vietnam may impede Nduta’s chances of avoiding execution, especially given the approaching deadline.

In summary, the Kenyan government’s attempts to prevent the execution of Margaret Macharia Nduta rely on diplomatic negotiations and potential appeals within the Vietnamese legal framework. As public interest grows, the effectiveness of these interventions remains uncertain, compounded by the urgency of impending execution dates and Kenya’s limited diplomatic presence in Vietnam.

Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke