- Margaret Nduta, 37, was arrested in Vietnam in 2023 with 2kg of cocaine
- She was sentenced to death on March 6, 2025, but execution has been postponed
- Kenya’s diplomatic intervention has led to a pending appeal
- The government is pushing for a sentence reduction or repatriation
The execution of Margaret Nduta, a Kenyan woman sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking, has been put on hold following urgent diplomatic efforts by the Kenyan government.
Nduta, 37, was arrested in July 2023 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City while attempting to travel to Laos. Vietnamese authorities found two kilograms of cocaine in her possession. On March 6, 2025, she was convicted and sentenced to death by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City. Her execution was initially set for March 17, 2025, but has now been delayed after Kenya intervened.
Kenyan Delegation Meets Nduta in Prison
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed that a Kenyan delegation traveled to Vietnam after securing visas in Bangkok and met with Nduta at 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.
He also revealed a critical detail-Nduta had no legal representation during her trial. However, Kenya has filed an appeal, which is now awaiting review.
“We are in ongoing discussions with Vietnamese officials to explore possible solutions,” Sing’oei added.
Mixed Reactions in Kenya
News of Nduta’s death sentence has sparked widespread reactions back home. Many Kenyans have called for the government to intensify efforts to have her sentence reduced or facilitate her repatriation to serve time in Kenya.
Nduta insists she was framed, claiming a man tricked her into delivering a suspicious suitcase to an unknown contact in Laos. Some believe her account, while others suspect she was aware of the high-risk operation but got caught in an international drug syndicate.
Adding to the controversy, a Kenyan woman recently alleged that she had served time with Nduta in a Ghanaian prison, casting further doubt on her innocence.
Vietnam Considering Kenya’s Plea for Leniency
On Sunday, PS Sing’oei disclosed that he had spoken with Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nguyen Minh Hang, who confirmed that Kenya’s request for clemency is under review.
“I conveyed the deep concern of the Kenyan people regarding Margaret’s case and urged the Vietnamese government to grant a stay of execution so we can work towards a diplomatic resolution,” Sing’oei said.
He also issued a stern warning to Kenyans about the dangers of drug trafficking.
“We strongly urge Kenyans to stay away from drug or human trafficking. The risks are enormous, and the consequences can be deadly.”
Kenyan authorities remain hopeful that further negotiations could save Nduta’s life and lead to a more favorable outcome.
