The family of a Kenyan man serving a three-year jail sentence in Saudi Arabia has presented new evidence they say could help overturn his conviction for transporting alcohol allegedly belonging to two diplomats at the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh.
The man, identified as Kevin Mugambi, was reportedly arrested after transporting alcohol in his personal vehicle on behalf of two diplomatic officers who had purchased the drinks using their diplomatic privileges.
The officers were reportedly permitted to purchase and consume alcohol because of their diplomatic status, while the junior employee in the embassy's labour department did not enjoy similar privileges.
However, when Saudi authorities reportedly sought clarification from the Kenyan Ambassador on whether Mugambi was transporting the alcohol on behalf of other embassy staff, the ambassador declined to provide a supporting letter.
The refusal allegedly left the junior employee to take responsibility for the alcohol, resulting in his conviction and subsequent three-year jail sentence.
Following the incident, his friends and relatives have now raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment, arguing that he was punished for transporting alcohol that did not belong to him.
They claim to possess several pieces of evidence supporting Mugambi's account, including receipts showing that the alcohol was purchased by the two diplomats on the day of the incident.
