Vietnam Reconsidering Margaret Nduta Execution – PS Korir Sing’Oei
The fate of 37-year-old Kenyan woman Margaret Nduta, who faces the grim prospect of execution in Vietnam, could take a last-minute turn as the government makes a fresh attempt to intervene on her behalf.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, in a statement released on Sunday, revealed that he had reached out to the government of Vietnam following the public uproar by Kenyans to have Nduta expatriated to Kenya.
The PS revealed that he spoke with Vietnam Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang who assured him that the matter was under consideration.
According to Sing’Oei, Kenya has already submitted a petition to the Vietnam government detailing the anxiety of Kenyans.
In its petition, Kenya urged the Asian nation to stay the execution of Nduta to allow both countries find a solution to the matter.
”Had a telephone conversation this afternoon with my counterpart, H.E. Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam over the matter of Margaret Nduta. I conveyed to Madam Hang the anxiety of the Kenyan people on the impending execution of our national and reiterated our request for a stay of execution to allow our two countries to find a path to resolving the issue,” Sing’Oei stated.
“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 Thursday, March 6, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court sentenced Nduta to death in a move that reinforced the nation’s harsh stance on drug-related crimes.
According to court documents, Nduta was allegedly paid $1,300 (approximately KSh 167,000) to transport the contraband – an allegation which she vehemently denied in court, insisting that she thought she was transporting legitimate goods.
