Johannesburg – The Kenyan government has saved convicted drug mule, 37-year-old Margaret Nduta Macharia from execution in Vietnam – for now.
Nduta Macharia’s execution had initially been scheduled for (Monday 17 March 2025), after the Kenyan was found guilty of trafficking 2kgs of Cocaine into Vietnam.
Before her conviction on 6 March 2025, Nduta Macharia admitted in court that she was hired to transport a suitcase, of which she claimed no knowledge of the contents, to Vietnam.
Macharia said she was hired by a Kenyan man, whom she only identified as “John”.
The accused said John had paid for her travel expenses and had also given her US$1 300 as payment.
However, the cocaine was discovered by Vietnam authorities and she was arrested. That was in July 2023.
The condemned woman only had hours to live when her distressed family implored Kenya President William Ruto to intervene.
Soon after that, Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei announced that his government was doing everything within its means to save Nduta Macharia’s life.
Sing’oei stated that he had a telephone conversation with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Hang about Nduta Macharia’s dire situation and requested a stay of execution to allow Kenya and Vietnam to find a path to resolving the issue.
On the day of the scheduled execution, Kenya’s ambassadors from Thailand – who oversee diplomatic affairs in Vietnam – traveled to Hanoi in a last-ditch effort to appeal for clemency.
Since then Vietnam authorities have been silent on the matter.
However, on Wednesday, (19 March 2025), Kenyan authorities confirmed for the first time that Nduta Macharia was still alive and her execution had been put on hold while discussions continued.
The news brought relief to family, friends, and concerned Kenyans.
Online publication http://www.mpasho.co.ke reports that in Murang’a, Kenya, Nduta Macharia’s family held prayers on Tuesday, (18 March 2025) urging President Ruto to intensify efforts to bring her home.
Nduta Macharia’s mother, Purity Wangari, expressed relief that the execution had not taken place but pleaded for her daughter’s repatriation.
“Thank you so much, Mr. President, because my child was not killed. Bring her to Kenya, and I will be so happy. Many people will be happy,” the mother was quoted as saying.
Nduta Macharia’s twin sister, Wambui Macharia insisted her twin was an innocent victim.
Speaking at the family home, nominated MP Sabina Chege confirmed that the Kenya government is committed to diplomatic engagement with Vietnam to spare Nduta’s life.
“The best part is that Nduta is not going to be hanged now. There’s a lot of discussion going on, and very soon, the government will give its position once negotiations are finalized,” she stated.
