The recent sentencing of Margaret Nduta, a Kenyan woman facing execution in Vietnam for drug trafficking, has stirred strong emotions and reignited the long-standing debate about the death penalty.
Her case is not just about one person; it raises uncomfortable questions about justice, fairness, and whether taking a life in the name of punishment actually solves anything.
Many countries still uphold capital punishment, some enforcing it with an iron fist. China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States are frequently mentioned in discussions on the subject, each with its own justifications for retaining this form of punishment. The methods used vary - lethal injection, hanging, firing squads, and even beheading. It is difficult not to shudder at the thought of such practices still being carried out today.
What truly makes me question the death penalty is the lack of solid evidence that it actually deters crime. People often argue that harsher punishments dissuade wrongdoers, yet countries without the death penalty have not witnessed a surge in crime. If capital punishment is not the ultimate solution to stopping serious offences, what purpose does it really serve?
Then there is the glaring issue of human error. Justice systems are not infallible - they are run by people, and people make mistakes. Countless stories have emerged of individuals being sentenced to death, only to be exonerated years later.
In those cases, they were fortunate. But what about those who were not? One wrongful execution is a tragedy, but the fact that it happens at all is a failure we cannot afford to ignore. Another crucial aspect that is often overlooked is who ends up on death row. More often than not, it is the marginalised, the poor, and foreigners who lack proper legal representation.
Nduta’s case is a stark reminder that the fight against capital punishment is far from over. It forces us to reflect on the kind of world we want to live in - one that values compassion and rehabilitation, or one that clings to outdated forms of justice.
Perhaps it is time we moved beyond the notion that death is the ultimate answer to crime. Maybe true justice lies in preserving life, not taking it.
Stanley Waitagei, Bomet County
