In a tearful appeal, Purity Wangui, mother of 37-year-old Margaret Nduta, is desperately pleading for one final chance to see her daughter before her impending execution in Vietnam. Nduta, convicted of drug trafficking, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection after being found guilty of smuggling two kilograms of cocaine.

A Mother’s Desperate Request

During an emotional interview, Purity Wangui expressed her deep anguish over her daughter’s fate. “I must see her before they hang her. I don’t care how long it takes. I just need to look her in the eyes and hear her voice one last time,” she said. Despite the daunting distance of over 8,100 kilometers from Murang’a, Kenya, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the mother is determined to make the journey if necessary. Lacking the funds to finance the trip herself, she has turned to the Kenyan government for assistance.

Through Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, Wangui has formally appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and negotiate for Margaret’s return. She even suggested that if her daughter must be spared execution, she should instead serve a life sentence in Kenya.

A Controversial Case

Margaret Nduta was arrested in July 2023 while transiting through Vietnam on her way to Laos. On March 6, 2025, a Vietnamese court convicted her of smuggling cocaine valued at approximately Ksh27 million on the international market. Nduta maintains her innocence, claiming that she was hired by a Kenyan man named John to deliver a suitcase at the airport and was paid Ksh167,000 in advance, with all travel expenses covered. Her family, however, disputes this account, insisting that the disciplined, God-fearing woman they raised could not have been involved in such criminal activities.

Calls for Government Intervention

A relative, Alex Murumba, has joined the plea, questioning the circumstances surrounding Nduta’s arrest. “We know Nduta as a straightforward woman. She only left Kenya in 2023 to seek better opportunities. How could she suddenly be involved in drug trafficking?” he asked. Human rights advocates and legal experts have also called for urgent government action, urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant bodies to intervene on behalf of Nduta.

Vietnam’s Strict Drug Laws

Vietnam is known for its stringent drug laws, where possession of over 600 grams of heroin or cocaine—or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine—can lead to the death penalty. Nduta’s case has sparked significant controversy, highlighting the severe penalties associated with drug trafficking in Vietnam and prompting widespread calls for a review of her situation.

As the deadline for Nduta’s execution looms, her mother’s heartfelt plea underscores the profound personal tragedy behind the headlines. With the Kenyan government under pressure to act, the coming days may prove critical in determining whether a final reunion between mother and daughter can occur, offering a glimmer of hope amid a bitter legal battle.