A family in Karikwe village, Kiharu, Murang’a County, is appealing to the Kenyan government for assistance after their daughter, Margaret Nduta Macharia, was sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug trafficking.
Margaret was convicted on March 6 by a people’s court in Ho Chi Minh City after being found guilty of smuggling over two kilograms of cocaine. Her family, unaware of her ordeal, only learned about her arrest and sentencing through online sources last week.
A Family in Shock
Margaret’s mother, Purity Wangari, expressed her distress over the situation, pleading with the authorities to intervene.
“It was the first time my daughter was traveling overseas, looking for better opportunities. I’m asking the authorities to help bring her home, even if it means she serves her sentence here,” Wangari said.
The family maintains that Margaret may have been deceived into carrying the illegal substance. They claim she was unknowingly used by a fellow Kenyan man, who allegedly convinced her to deliver the luggage to a woman abroad.
Arrest and Trial in Vietnam
Margaret’s journey took a tragic turn in July 2023 when she was arrested during transit in Laos. She was later transferred to Vietnam, where authorities charged her with drug trafficking. Under Vietnamese law, drug-related offenses carry severe penalties, including the death sentence.
Her family remains hopeful that diplomatic negotiations between Kenya and Vietnam could lead to a transfer, allowing her to serve her sentence in Kenya.
Calls for Government Intervention
The Macharia family is urging the Kenyan government to engage with Vietnamese authorities to explore legal avenues for Margaret’s return.
“We are devastated. We only found out about this recently, and we feel helpless. We are asking the government to intervene and help us,” a family member stated.
Kenyan authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter. However, in previous cases involving Kenyan nationals abroad, diplomatic efforts have been made to secure their repatriation or legal assistance.
As the family awaits a response, they continue to hold onto hope that Margaret’s case will be reviewed and that she may be granted the opportunity to serve her sentence in her home country.
