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The family of Margaret Nduta, a 37-year-old Kenyan woman sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking, was Tuesday given a glimmer of hope after authorities halted her scheduled execution. The last-minute decision, which followed diplomatic intervention, has provided temporary relief to her loved ones, who are now pleading with the Kenyan government to secure her safe return.
On Tuesday, Nduta’s family gathered at their home in Nairobi for prayers, expressing gratitude for the delay in execution while urging President William Ruto’s administration to intervene. Her mother, Purity Wangari, was overcome with emotion as she spoke. “Thank you very much, Mr. President, because my daughter was not executed. I now plead for her to be brought back to Kenya,” she said, fighting back tears.
Nduta’s nightmare began in 2023 when she was arrested at an airport in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, after authorities discovered two kilograms of cocaine in her luggage. Vietnam has some of the world’s strictest drug laws, and the possession of even small amounts of narcotics can result in harsh penalties, including death. Given the country’s no-tolerance stance on drug trafficking, her trial was swift, and she was sentenced to death.
Despite the conviction, Nduta’s family has consistently maintained her innocence, insisting that she was an unwitting victim of an international drug syndicate. Her sister, Wambui Macharia, recounted a series of events that led to her arrest, alleging that she had been deceived by people she trusted. “They were two girls traveling together. Nduta was told she would be the last one to leave. When her departure day arrived, she told me that someone had bought her a bigger bag, saying her own was too small and old. She was asked to transfer her clothes into the new bag,” she explained, suggesting that the drugs were planted in Nduta’s luggage without her knowledge.
Her case has reignited concerns over the increasing number of Kenyan women being lured into international drug trafficking rings under false pretenses. Many unsuspecting victims are promised lucrative jobs abroad, only to be used as drug mules by criminal networks operating across Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
With time running out, the Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a last-minute appeal to the Vietnamese authorities, seeking clemency or a stay of execution. While the exact details of the negotiations remain undisclosed, government officials have confirmed that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure a more permanent resolution.
Nominated MP Sabina Chege, who has been actively following the case, acknowledged the temporary relief but emphasized that more work needs to be done. “The good news is that Nduta is not going to be hanged now, but the fight is not over. There are high-level negotiations taking place, and we are hopeful that a positive outcome will be reached,” she stated.
Her case has sparked a national conversation about the vulnerability of Kenyan citizens, particularly women, who are falling victim to human trafficking and drug smuggling syndicates. Several lawmakers and human rights activists are now demanding stricter oversight of employment agencies that facilitate overseas job placements, accusing some of them of being complicit in these crimes.
“We need to crack down on those responsible for luring young women into these dangerous situations. At the same time, the government must take responsibility for protecting its citizens abroad. This should serve as a wake-up call,” said a local MP.
As Nduta’s family continues to hold onto hope, her fate remains uncertain. For now, the immediate danger has passed, but her loved ones are urging the Kenyan government to act swiftly and bring her back home before it is too late.
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