Kenyan officials have successfully visited Margaret Nduta, a 37-year-old Kenyan national currently on death row in Vietnam for drug trafficking offenses. On March 21, 2025, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Korir Sing’Oei confirmed that a consular team from Kenya’s embassy in Bangkok secured travel visas and met with Nduta at Ho Chi Minh Prison.
PS Sing’Oei reported that while Nduta is deeply distressed, she is coping and has been treated humanely by the Vietnamese authorities. He also noted that Nduta was not represented by legal counsel during her trial; however, an appeal has been filed recently and is scheduled for hearing soon. The Kenyan government continues to engage Vietnamese counterparts to explore all possible options to resolve this challenging situation.
Nduta’s case has garnered significant attention in Kenya. She was arrested in July 2023 at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, found in possession of over two kilograms of cocaine concealed in her luggage. Subsequently, she was sentenced to death on March 6, 2025, for drug trafficking offenses.
The Kenyan government has been actively involved in efforts to prevent Nduta’s execution. PS Sing’Oei previously engaged in discussions with Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Nguyen Minh Hang, seeking a suspension of the execution while exploring alternative resolutions. Kenya’s diplomatic mission in Bangkok is closely monitoring the situation and continues to advocate for Nduta’s case.
The Kenyan community, both domestically and abroad, has expressed deep concern over Nduta’s predicament. Her family has made emotional appeals for government intervention to save her life. Additionally, Kenyan expatriates in Vietnam and Thailand have been closely following her case, engaging with diplomatic channels in hopes of securing a favorable outcome.
Vietnam maintains stringent drug laws, with trafficking offenses often resulting in severe penalties, including the death sentence. The Kenyan government’s ongoing diplomatic efforts aim to navigate these legal complexities to achieve a resolution that spares Nduta from execution. The situation remains critical, and the outcome of the forthcoming appeal will be pivotal in determining her fate.
