The Kenyan government has begun negotiations with the Chinese government to secure the release of lady sentenced to death for drug trafficking.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery revealed on Monday that the government was approaching China through its envoy in Nairobi in an attempt to broker a deal for a Kenyan citizen, Ms Floviance Razan Owino’s release.
Speaking to journalists after opening the National Conference on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the CS said the government was pushing for her to be released.
He said he would meet the Chinese ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa on Monday afternoon to look for ways to ensure she was released.
Ms Owino, 28, who was arrested in 2013 and was charged with drug trafficking is set to die after she was found guilty of drug-related offences in China.
Her family was informed two weeks before her death sentence was due to be executed.
“The caller informed me that my sister was just left with a few days before she faces the hangman’s noose, and that she had been in custody for two good years,” said her sister last week.
Mr Nkaissery also said he was waiting for her Foreign Affairs counterpart Amina Mohammed to arrive from South Africa so they could work together in negotiating.
China has stiffer penalties aimed at curbing drug trafficking in the country.
In the past it has executed various nationals, including a Nigerian and Zambian in 2010. In the same year five Kenyans were sentenced to death for drug trafficking.
During the conference, Nacada Chairman John Mututho warned Kenyans against drug trafficking in foreign countries saying they would get no mercy if they were caught.
“I would like to ask our young girls to be wary of those wealthy men who trick them to dates in Asian countries. You might go there and never come back but you are instead accused of drug trafficking,” said Mr Mututho.
He said Singapore, China and Pakistan had put in place tough laws set to stop their countries from being enslaved by illegal drugs.
Kenyans have used social media to push the government to seek the release of Ms Owino, who left a daughter with her family in Nairobi when she flew to China.
Her family has also urged the government to intervene to save her from death.
