Senator Onyonka seeks response on Kenyan citizen death sentence in Vietnam

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Senator Richard Onyonka (Kisii) has requested a statement from the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations concerning the case of Ms. Margaret Nduta Macharia, a Kenyan citizen who has been handed a death sentence in Vietnam for drug trafficking.

In his request, Senator Onyonka urged the Committee to clarify the steps being taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure Ms. Macharia's access to fair legal representation while abroad. The senator highlighted the importance of exploring the possibility of her repatriation to Kenya for trial under the nation's judicial system.

Furthermore, Onyonka emphasized the need for the Committee to address ongoing efforts to plead for clemency on humanitarian grounds, with the aim of having Ms. Macharia's death sentence converted to life imprisonment or a lesser penalty. He sought clarity on whether diplomatic negotiations are currently in progress to facilitate her repatriation to serve her sentence in Kenya, thereby allowing for adherence to local legal practices.

Senator Onyonka also called for a comprehensive overview of the number of Kenyan citizens currently incarcerated outside the country, requesting specifics on the nature of the charges they face. He asked the Committee to provide details regarding the diplomatic initiatives being implemented to safeguard the rights and welfare of the individuals.

Additionally, Onyonka has raised concerns about security lapses at Kenyan airports, particularly at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with respect to the trafficking of prohibited substances occurring from 2022 to the present. He requested the Committee to outline necessary measures being put in place to enhance airport security checks to prevent future occurrences.