The Kenyan government has taken several steps to address the situation of Margaret Nduta Macharia, a Kenyan woman facing execution in Vietnam after being convicted of drug trafficking on March 6, 2025. As of March 16, 2025, with her execution reportedly scheduled for today, the government’s efforts have been acknowledged but described as facing significant challenges.
Diplomatic Challenges and Urgent Appeals in a Race Against Time For Margaret Nduta Macharia
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has publicly stated that the government is aware of Nduta’s case and is actively working to secure a reprieve. In a statement made on March 16, 2025, Sing’oei described the situation as “complex and difficult” but emphasized that the government is “doing everything within our disposal” to assist her. This suggests ongoing diplomatic efforts, though specific details of these actions remain limited in public statements.
Additionally, Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia claimed during a TikTok live session that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reached out to Vietnamese authorities as early as March 15, 2025, to negotiate on Nduta’s behalf. Kururia indicated that the government was awaiting a response from Vietnam, which had so far remained firm in its stance. This outreach aligns with calls from various Kenyan leaders, including Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who urged Ruto to explore diplomatic options such as seeking clemency, negotiating a lesser sentence, or facilitating Nduta’s repatriation to serve a sentence in Kenya.
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Despite these efforts, the lack of a formal extradition treaty between Kenya and Vietnam, combined with Vietnam’s strict anti-narcotics laws and historically rigid judicial system, has limited Kenya’s leverage. Reports suggest that Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi met with Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister in February 2025, though this predates Margaret Nduta Macharia’s conviction and may not have directly addressed her case. The government’s actions have been characterized as urgent but constrained by diplomatic and legal complexities, with no confirmed resolution as of the latest updates on March 16, 2025.
PS Korir Sing’Oei: Vietnam Considering Kenya’s Petition, Hope Amid Complexity On Margaret Nduta Macharia
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has indicated that Vietnam is considering Kenya’s petition to halt the execution of Margaret Nduta, a Kenyan national convicted of drug trafficking in Vietnam. On March 16, 2025, Sing’Oei shared that he had spoken with H.E. Nguyen Minh Hang, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, about Nduta’s case. During this conversation, he expressed the concerns of the Kenyan people and requested a stay of execution, which was scheduled for March 17, 2025.
According to Sing’Oei, the Vietnamese official assured him that Kenya’s plea is being reviewed by the relevant authorities in Vietnam. He also noted that Kenya’s diplomatic mission in Bangkok is actively engaged in following up on the matter. This suggests that, as of the latest update, Vietnam has not finalized its decision but is giving Kenya’s petition due consideration.