After spending 14 years behind bars in Saudi Arabia, Stephen Munyakho,  now known as Abdulkareem,  finally returned home on Tuesday morning, marking the end of a long and emotional journey that nearly ended in execution.

Munyakho, who had been sentenced to death following a 2011 conviction for murder, arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Jeddah to a warm welcome from his family, the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, and members of the Bring Back Stevo Strategy Committee.

He was released from Shimeisi Prison in the Governorate of Mecca on July 22, 2025, after the requirements of a judicial decree were fulfilled.

Speaking briefly after his arrival, Munyakho said, " I’m glad to be back home in Kenya. My presence here today is nothing short of a miracle, and I want to begin by thanking Allah for the gift of life.”

“I also want to thank everyone who prayed for me, encouraged me, and contributed towards my freedom and return home. Some of you I know, but the vast majority , in your tens of thousands, were simply touched by the misfortune of a total stranger,” he said.

“I’m grateful to Allah for this second chance that I have been granted. It’s wonderful to be back home, but please allow me some time to rest and reorganise myself before I can speak further," Munyakho added.

The Bring Back Stevo Strategy Committee, which played a central role in the fight for Munyakho’s freedom, issued a statement celebrating his return and detailing the efforts that went into securing his release.

“We are pleased to welcome back home today Stephen Munyakho (Stevo), the Kenyan citizen who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia for 14 years,” the committee said.

“His arrival this morning from Jeddah is the result of a lengthy battle fought in Saudi courts and a fundraising campaign supported by Kenyans and foreigners of goodwill. They battled to free Stephen from a sentence of execution imposed by a Sharia court, which had convicted him of manslaughter in connection with the death of a colleague in 2011.”

Munyakho had been working as a warehouse manager in Saudi Arabia when he got into a fight with a Yemeni colleague, Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh, who later died from injuries sustained during the incident.

He was initially handed a five-year sentence for manslaughter, but the charges were later upgraded to murder on appeal, triggering a death sentence by the sword.

However, the death penalty was suspended after the victim’s family agreed to accept diya (blood money) in line with Sharia law. Munyakho was eventually freed after the diya payment was completed, leading to the quashing of his sentence.

The committee expressed deep appreciation to all those who made Munyakho’s release possible, especially the Muslim World League for covering most of the Sh150 million diya paid to the deceased’s family.

“We especially thank the Muslim World League for paying the bulk of the Sh150 million diya to the family of the late Abdul Halim Mujahid Makrad Saleh, whose death led to Stephen’s conviction,” read the statement.

“We also thank all those who contributed to the fundraising efforts and who offered prayers for Stephen’s release,” they added.

The committee further acknowledged key government officials for their unwavering support.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, Principal Secretary Dr Abraham Korir Sing’Oei and Kenya’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia,  Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange, for the relentless efforts they made to secure Stephen’s release.”

Munyakho was originally scheduled to return on July 23, but logistical issues delayed his arrival by several days. His release has brought immense relief to his family, who had waited for more than a decade for his safe return.

“Words cannot fully express our joy , especially that of his family and friends as well as his parents, who are both here — at this long-awaited reunion,” the committee said