Kenyan woman, Margaret Nduta, faces execution in Vietnam for drug trafficking Image Courtesy

Kenyan human rights activist Margaret Nduta Macharia, 37, faces imminent execution in Vietnam after being convicted of drug trafficking.

Nduta was arrested in July 2023 at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, authorities discovered over two kilograms of cocaine concealed in her luggage. On March 6, 2025, the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City sentenced her to death, underscoring Vietnam’s stringent stance on drug-related offenses.

Nduta’s family, residing in Karikwe village, Kiharu, Murang’a County, Kenya, learned of her sentencing through online reports on March 8. Her mother, Purity Wangari, expressed profound shock and has fervently appealed to the Kenyan government for intervention, hoping to negotiate her daughter’s return. Wangari emphasized that it was Nduta’s first time traveling abroad in search of better opportunities.

The case has garnered significant attention from Kenyan legislators and human rights organizations. Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, in a letter dated March 14 to President William Ruto, urged the administration to engage diplomatically with Vietnamese authorities. He advocates for clemency on humanitarian grounds, proposing that Nduta’s death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment and that she be repatriated to serve her sentence in Kenya.

Vietnam enforces some of the world’s harshest drug laws. Possessing or smuggling over 600 grams of heroin or cocaine can result in the death penalty. The country’s proximity to the Golden Triangle—a notorious drug-producing region encompassing parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand—has led to a zero-tolerance policy toward drug trafficking.

As the execution date looms, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledges the complexity of Nduta’s situation. Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei described the case as “complex and difficult,” assuring that efforts are underway to secure a reprieve for Nduta.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of drug trafficking, especially in countries with uncompromising drug laws. It also highlights the challenges faced by individuals seeking better opportunities abroad, only to find themselves entangled in perilous situations.

Can Nduta’s life be spared through diplomatic intervention and negotiation?