Saving Margaret Nduta: Kenya’s Last Push to Stop Her Execution in Vietnam

The government of Kenya is in a race against time to save Margaret Nduta from execution in Vietnam. Kenya has activated her Thailand embassy to stop Nduta’s execution, which was supposed to be done on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Kenya’s Foreign Ministry PS Korir Sing’Oei says the government has sent a team from Thailand to Hanoi in Vietnam as the government combines political and diplomatic channels to save Nduta.

“Kenya is seeking formal clemency or stay of execution to allow for further engagement with the Vietnamese government,” Sing’Oei said.

For clarity, Kenya does not have a diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in Vietnam; Kenya’s embassy in Thailand is accredited to Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s embassy in Tanzania is accredited to Kenya, and while relations between Nairobi and Hanoi remain cordial, the two states do not have bilateral agreements.

Nduta was arrested in July 2023 at the Ho Chi Minh City Airport allegedly smuggling 2 kilograms of cocaine into the country.

She was arrested tried, convicted and sentenced to maximum penalty applicable, death.

Her impeding fate raised a collective campaign from Kenyans on social media and government machinery to implore upon the Vietnamese government to spare her life and allow her repatriation to Kenya.

Nduta was still alive on March 17 with her fate hanging on the diplomatic engagements between Kenya and Vietnam.

Also Read: Ruto’s Govt Speaks Hours Before Nduta’s Execution in Vietnam

Sing’Oei Last Public About Margaret Nduta

In a statement on March 16, Sing’Oei said he had conatced Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minh Hang, over the matter.

Sing’Oei said he conveyed to Madam Hang the anxiety of the Kenyan people over the impending execution of Nduta and reiterated Kenya’s request for a stay of execution to allow our two countries to find a path to resolving the issue.

“I am grateful for Madam Hang’s assurance that our Petition is under consideration by her Country’s authorities. In the meantime, our Mission in Bankok is actively following up the case in situ,” he said.

Also Read: Firing Squad or Lethal Injection? How Kenya’s Nduta Will Meet Her Tragic End in Vietnam

Crimes Punishable by Death in Vietnam

Drug trafficking is one of the 22 offences that attract the death penalty in Vietnam.

Others include murder, armed robbery, rape, sexual abuse of children, graft and corruption, fraud and embezzlement (for $33,200 or more state property) and illegal production and trade of food, foodstuffs and medicines.

Crimes like war crimes, crimes against humanity and hijacking aircraft or ships also carry the death sentence.

Nduta’s mother pleaded with the government to bring her daughter back to Kenya

“Bring my daughter back to Kenya, she can serve her jail term here,” she said.

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