The Kenyan government has formally appealed the death sentence given to Margaret Nduta in Vietnam for drug trafficking.
Nduta, 37, was arrested in July 2023 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City with two kilograms of cocaine while en route to Laos.
On March 6, 2025, the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City found her guilty and sentenced her to death. Her execution was originally scheduled for Monday, March 17, 2025. However, Vietnamese authorities postponed the execution following urgent diplomatic intervention by Kenya.
In an update on Friday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei revealed that a Kenyan delegation had secured travel visas in Bangkok and visited Nduta at the Ho Chi Minh Prison.
“We can confirm that while Margaret is understandably distressed, she remains in stable condition and has been treated humanely,” said Sing’oei. “Although she did not have legal representation during her trial, the appeal we submitted will be heard soon.”
He added, “We are continuing to engage with Vietnamese officials to explore all possible alternatives for resolving this challenging situation.”
Back home, news of Nduta’s looming execution has stirred widespread empathy. Many Kenyans have urged the government to exhaust every diplomatic effort to have her sentence reduced or to have her repatriated to serve her sentence in Kenya.
Nduta claims she was set up by a man who tricked her into delivering a suitcase to an unknown woman in Laos. While some believe her account, others suspect she may have knowingly participated, lured by the promise of quick money, and fallen prey to an international drug trafficking ring.
Further casting doubt on her innocence, a Kenyan woman recently claimed to have served time with Nduta in a Ghanaian prison.
Sing’oei also cautioned Kenyans: “We strongly advise against getting involved in drug or human trafficking. The risks are severe and the consequences can be tragic.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, the PS shared that he had spoken by phone with Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nguyen Minh Hang, who confirmed that Kenya’s request for leniency is under consideration.
“I expressed to Madam Hang the deep concern of the Kenyan people regarding Margaret’s imminent execution and reiterated our plea for a stay of execution to allow both countries time to find a diplomatic resolution,” Sing’oei said.
