Murang’a Family Pleads for Government Intervention as Kenyan Woman Faces Death Sentence in Vietnam
A family in Murang’a County is making an urgent appeal to the Kenyan government to intervene and save their 37-year-old daughter, Margaret Nduta Macharia, who has been sentenced to death in Vietnam.
Conviction and Sentencing
Nduta was convicted on March 6, 2025, by a Vietnamese court after being found guilty of possessing two kilograms of drugs. Reports indicate that the drugs were discovered hidden inside her bag at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport. Despite pleading her innocence, she was sentenced to death and given only seven days to appeal the ruling.
Nduta claims she was unaware that she was carrying drugs, stating that a Kenyan man identified as John had given her a suitcase to deliver to a woman in Vietnam. She allegedly received KSh 167,000 from John, who also covered her travel expenses. However, Vietnamese authorities did not accept her defense, and she now faces the death penalty.
Family’s Desperate Plea for Help
Nduta’s mother, Purity Wangari, expressed deep distress upon receiving the news of her daughter’s sentencing. “I received a call that Margaret was in court and had been sentenced to death,” she said tearfully.
Another family member emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that they only have two days left for an appeal. “We are asking the government to speed up its intervention so that our daughter can be brought back home,” the relative pleaded.
The family describes Nduta as a hardworking and honest woman, questioning how she found herself entangled in such a grave situation.
Legal and Diplomatic Options
Vietnam has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, with possession of even small amounts of narcotics carrying severe penalties, including the death sentence. The Kenyan government, through its embassy and diplomatic channels, may seek clemency or a possible sentence reduction for Nduta. However, time is running out as the deadline for her appeal quickly approaches.
Similar Cases of Kenyans in Foreign Jails
Nduta’s case is not the only instance of Kenyans facing harsh sentences abroad. In another case, Dorothy Kweyu, a Kenyan mother, is seeking KSh 150 million to save her son, Stephen Munyakho, who has been jailed in Saudi Arabia for 12 years. Munyakho was convicted of murder after allegedly killing his colleague in self-defense. The victim’s family has agreed to accept blood money for his release, but raising the amount remains a significant challenge.
Call for Action
The Murang’a family continues to plead for swift action from the government, hoping that diplomatic efforts can prevent Nduta’s execution. Kenyans are now watching to see if authorities will intervene in time to save her life.
In other news: Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Supreme Court in Protest Over Delayed Justice
Murang’a Family Pleads for Government Intervention as Kenyan Woman Faces Death Sentence in Vietnam