MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia has revealed that President Ruto is in talks with Vietnam to prevent the execution of Margaret Macharia Nduta, convicted of smuggling drugs. With her execution date set for March 16, the government is pursuing diplomatic interventions and Nduta’s legal team may also seek an appeal, although challenges remain due to Vietnam’s strict drug laws and Kenya’s limited diplomatic influence.
Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia has disclosed that President William Ruto, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has made contact with Vietnamese authorities regarding the imminent execution of a Kenyan national. Margaret Macharia Nduta, convicted of smuggling over two kilograms of drugs, faces the death penalty after her arrest at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Her situation has captured widespread attention in Kenya, prompting public calls for government intervention to prevent her execution.
As the execution date approaches on March 16, Kururia expressed optimism during a TikTok Live session, stating that the government has made a final attempt to save Nduta. He confirmed, “I can confirm that the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted Vietnam yesterday and are waiting for feedback.” However, he also noted the firm stance of the Vietnamese authorities on the matter, assuring the public that President Ruto is aware of Nduta’s circumstances.
On March 6, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court sentenced Nduta to death, underscoring Vietnam’s stringent policies on drug offenses. Court records indicate that Nduta was allegedly compensated $1,300 to transport the drugs, a claim she has vehemently denied, asserting that she believed she was carrying legitimate goods.
To intervene in Nduta’s case, the Kenyan government could engage in diplomatic efforts, involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kenyan Embassy in appealing for clemency or a reduced sentence. Alternatively, Nduta’s legal team could file an appeal in Vietnam’s judicial system, though this option is seen as unlikely without new evidence emerging to support her claims.
President Ruto could potentially make a direct appeal to Vietnam’s leadership based on humanitarian grounds. Nonetheless, the limited diplomatic presence of Kenya in Vietnam may hinder Nduta’s chances of evading the death penalty as the situation grows increasingly urgent.
In summary, the Kenyan government is actively seeking to intervene in the case of Margaret Macharia Nduta, who faces execution in Vietnam for drug smuggling. Through diplomatic channels and potential legal avenues, efforts are being made to secure her release or a commutation of her sentence. However, the reality of the situation, coupled with limited diplomatic representation, presents significant challenges in altering the course of her impending execution.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
