The case of a 37-year-old Kenyan woman, Margaret Nduta Macharia, who is facing a death sentence in Vietnam, has now reached the floor of Parliament, with lawmakers demanding urgent government intervention.Nduta was sentenced to death after being found guilty of possessing two kilograms of cocaine.
Following her sentencing, she was given only seven days to appeal. Her family, deeply distressed by the situation, has pleaded with the Kenyan government to intervene and secure a lesser sentence. However, fears are growing that the appeal window is quickly closing without any clear government action.
Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege raised the matter in the National Assembly, urging the government to step in and provide clarity on efforts to assist Nduta.
In response, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed the Committee on Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations to engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense. The committee has been tasked with investigating the government’s intervention and ensuring that Nduta’s family is informed of any steps taken to support her case.
Nduta is reported to have traveled to Vietnam through a recruiting agency, seeking a job opportunity when she was arrested and charged with drug trafficking. Her sentencing has sparked concerns about the vulnerability of Kenyans seeking employment abroad, particularly through agencies that may not fully disclose the risks involved.
The case highlights the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to assist Kenyan citizens facing legal challenges in foreign countries. With the appeal deadline fast approaching, all eyes are now on the Kenyan government to determine what steps, if any, will be taken to intervene on Nduta’s behalf.
