MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia has revealed that President Ruto is trying to halt the execution of Margaret Macharia Nduta, a Kenyan convicted in Vietnam for drug smuggling. The Kenyan government has contacted Vietnam for intervention, but Nduta’s execution date is set for March 16.
Gatundu North Member of Parliament, Elijah Njoroge Kururia, has disclosed that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have engaged with Vietnamese authorities concerning the impending execution of a Kenyan national, Margaret Macharia Nduta. Nduta was sentenced to death in Vietnam for smuggling over two kilograms of illegal drugs.
Her arrest occurred at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, a key travel hub in Vietnam. The case has garnered significant attention across Kenya, with many citizens urging the government to take action to prevent her execution, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 16.
During a TikTok Live session, Kururia expressed optimism about the government’s efforts, stating, “I can confirm that the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted Vietnam yesterday and are waiting for feedback.” He added, “The Vietnamese authorities have remained adamant. I’ve seen many people asking if the president is aware—yes, he is, and the government is awaiting a response.”
On March 6, the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City issued the death sentence against Nduta, reflecting Vietnam’s stringent policies on drug offenses. According to court documents, she allegedly received $1,300 for transporting the drugs, a claim she denied, asserting that she believed she was carrying legitimate goods.
The Kenyan government may pursue diplomatic intervention as a means to save Nduta, involving the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Kenyan Embassy requesting clemency from Vietnam. Another potential avenue for Nduta is for her legal team to file an appeal to contest the death sentence; however, this would necessitate new evidence to support her innocence, making it an unlikely scenario.
Additionally, President Ruto could appeal to Vietnam’s leadership on humanitarian grounds. However, Kenya’s limited diplomatic representation in Vietnam may pose significant challenges to Nduta’s chances of evading the death penalty, particularly as her execution date approaches.
In summary, Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia has indicated that the Kenyan government is making efforts to intervene in the case of Margaret Macharia Nduta, who faces execution in Vietnam. The government’s actions include reaching out to Vietnamese authorities and exploring diplomatic strategies for her clemency. With the execution date nearing, the situation remains urgent and complex, highlighting the challenges posed by diplomatic limitations.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
