VIDEO: Stephen Munyakho explains the fight that resulted in the Saudi Colleague's death

Following 14 years in a Saudi Arabian prison, Stephen Munyakho, a Kenyan who returned home, has spoken out on the murder of his colleague, which led to his placement on death row.

In 1996, Munyakho entered Saudi Arabia on a work visa in order to work in computing.

Additionally, he was employed as a warehouse manager in Jeddah on April 9, 2011. His Yemeni coworker did not want him to go, so he went to pick up his pay.

“It was a salary-related fight. I went to get my salary, but he refused to let me go,” Munyakho said.

He said the man insulted him, and that’s when tempers rose.

According to Munyakho, the man pulled out a knife and stabbed him first. Munyakho got injured on his hand and thigh. He then grabbed the same knife and stabbed the man in self-defense.

“The knife was his. After he used it on me, I used it on him,” he explained.

I did not Think he would Die- Stephen Munyakho

Munyakho said he did not think the man would die.

He explained that the doctor’s report showed the real cause of death was not the stabbing itself, but the delay in going to the hospital, which caused him to lose too much blood.

“It was not the stabbing that killed him. He lost a lot of blood because he didn’t go to the hospital in time. It was a mistake. I didn’t mean for him to die,” he said.

The man who died was Abdul Halim. Munyakho said they were friends and had worked together for some time. He also said this was the first fight he had ever been involved in.

Stephen Munyakho with his mother Dorcas Kweyu, who valiantly fought for his freedom.

At first, Munyakho was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to five years. But when the case went to appeal, the charge was changed to murder, and he was sentenced to death by beheading.

“That tragedy is something I can’t explain. It really hurt me. I never thought I could cause someone’s death,” he said.

 His case gained national attention in Kenya. Many people, including government leaders and religious groups, helped raise money for his release. Under Sharia law, the victim’s family agreed to forgive him if he paid blood money (diyya).

The Kenyan government, the Muslim World League, SUPKEM, the Catholic Bishops, and other donors raised KSh 129 million to pay the settlement.

Before leaving Saudi Arabia, Munyakho was allowed to perform Umrah, a religious pilgrimage he had always hoped to do. He was then moved to a deportation center and cleared to return home.

He landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on July 29, 2025. His family, friends, and government officials were there to welcome him. It was an emotional reunion.

His mother, Dorothy Kweyu, said she first thought her son had died.

“When I got the first call from Saudi Arabia, I thought it was Bertrand who had died. But three hours later, I was told it was the other man,” she said. “Still, I feared for his life. I knew things would be bad if someone had died in his hands.”

He never imagined he’d end up in prison for over a decade. Now that he’s back, he says he wants to start fresh.

“I thank everyone who stood with me. I’m sorry to the family. Please forgive me. I never meant for any of this to happen,” he said.