The family of a Kenyan man serving a three-year prison sentence in Saudi Arabia is calling for government intervention, saying they have new evidence that could help challenge his conviction.
Kevin Mugambi was reportedly arrested after transporting alcohol in his personal vehicle for two Kenyan diplomatic officers based at the country’s embassy in Riyadh.
According to his family, the two officers had bought the alcohol using their diplomatic privileges but asked Mugambi, who worked in the embassy’s labour department, to transport it.
The family says Mugambi did not enjoy the same privileges as the diplomats and was left exposed when Saudi authorities questioned the circumstances under which he was carrying the drinks.
They claim that when Saudi officials sought clarification from the Kenyan Ambassador on whether Mugambi was transporting the alcohol on behalf of other embassy staff, the ambassador declined to provide a supporting letter.
Mugambi was subsequently convicted and handed a three-year jail sentence.
His relatives and friends now say they have evidence which they believe could establish that the alcohol belonged to the two diplomats and not Mugambi.
Among the evidence they cite are purchase receipts showing that the drinks were bought by the officers on the day of the incident.
The family also claims CCTV footage captured the purchase and the subsequent handover of the alcohol to Mugambi after payment had been made.
They have further referred to an audio recording in which the two officers allegedly admitted to Mugambi’s wife that the alcohol belonged to them.
The relatives are questioning why the Kenyan Embassy has not intervened despite the evidence they say is available.
They have appealed to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei to look into the matter and help establish the circumstances surrounding Mugambi’s conviction.
The family says Mugambi is currently serving his first year in prison and wants the government to provide diplomatic assistance as they pursue his release.
