- Vietnamese authorities apprehended Margaret Nduta at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City for illegally smuggling drugs
- Several Kenyans and her family have been pleading with the government to intervene in the case and have her sentenced in Kenya
- Gatundu North MP Njoroge Kururia claimed that President William Ruto reached out to Vietnam ahead of her execution and is only waiting for their feedback
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Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.
Margaret Macharia Nduta is facing execution in Vietnam after being found guilty of smuggling more than two kilograms of drugs.
Vietnamese authorities apprehended her at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the country’s busiest travel hubs.
Why was Margaret Nduta arrested and sentenced?
According to the indictment, Nduta was paid $1,300 (approximately KSh 167,000) for her role in the operation.
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Due to a delay in her flight during her journey in 2023, airport personnel advised her to complete immigration procedures to assist with rebooking a flight to Laos.
However, during routine security checks, customs officials discovered over two kilograms of drugs hidden in her suitcase.
When brought before the court, the Murang’a woman claimed she was unaware of the drugs in her luggage and believed she was transporting legal items.
Prosecutors dismissed her defense, arguing that her explanation was an attempt to evade responsibility, emphasising that individuals caught with such significant quantities of narcotics must be held fully accountable under Vietnamese law.
On Thursday, March 6, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court sentenced Nduta to death, reinforcing Vietnam’s zero-tolerance policy on drug-related offenses.
Her sentencing has sparked calls for the Kenyan government to intervene and have her sentenced in Kenya instead.
Has William Ruto intervened in Margaret Nduta’s case?
Speaking during a TikTok live session, Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia revealed that President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had reached out to Vietnam.
He stated that the government is awaiting a response from Vietnam that has remained adamant as the execution time approaches.
“I am reporting that the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have reached out to Vietnam from yesterday and are awaiting answers. They have remained adamant. I have heard many people asking if the president is aware. Yes, he knows and the Kenyan government is only awaiting a response,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kenyans are eagerly waiting for Ruto’s statement as they count hours before Nduta’s scheduled execution.
Babu Owino pleads with Ruto on Margaret Nduta’s case
In other news, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has called on Ruto to directly engage with the Vietnamese government to secure the release of Nduta.
Babu emphasised that Kenya must not abandon one of its citizens, stating that Nduta is innocent and was merely a victim of circumstance.
According to him, Nduta was unknowingly used to transport drugs and does not deserve the death penalty.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
