Kenyan national Margaret Nduta, who was sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking, has received a visit from Kenyan officials, who confirm that she is in stable condition. The Foreign Affairs Ministry, through Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, stated that representatives from Kenya’s embassy in Bangkok successfully obtained visas and visited Nduta at Ho Chi Minh Prison, where she is detained.
Despite the harsh reality of her situation, Nduta is reportedly coping well and has been treated humanely. She was arrested in 2023 at Ho Chi Minh City’s airport after being found with over two kilograms of cocaine in her luggage. She maintains that she was unaware of the drugs and, concerningly, had no legal representation during her trial. On March 6, 2024, she was sentenced to death under Vietnam’s strict anti-drug laws.
The Kenyan government has since filed an appeal and is engaging Vietnamese authorities to explore possible legal interventions, including a potential prisoner transfer to Kenya or seeking clemency. Nduta’s family has also pleaded for government intervention, urging officials to help bring her home.
Vietnam enforces one of the toughest anti-drug laws globally, with traffickers often facing the death penalty. However, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has assured that it is working tirelessly to ensure Nduta’s case is handled fairly and that all diplomatic channels are explored to prevent execution.
