Slain British aristocrat Alexander Monson was arrested for smoking weed, cellmate says

Hillary Martin Monson, the mother of Alexander Monson, at the High Court in Mombasa on July 4, 2018. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

A man who shared a cell with slain aristocrat Alexander Nicholas Monson at Diani police station in Kwale has told court that he told him he had been arrested for smoking bhang.

Alexander who was the son of Lord Nicholas Monson and  heir to the Monson baronetcy died chained to a hospital bed in Diani on May 18, 2012 hours after being arrested in the township.

Police claimed at that time that he was arrested smoking bhang, a claim his family denounced as a fabrication. Three policemen and a former policeman who arrested or processed him on that day have been charged with his murder following the recommendation of a judicial inquest.

Alexander later fell gravely ill in the police cells and was  taken to Palm Beach Hospital where he died chained to a bed under armed police guard.

A postmortem examination established that Alexander died from heavy trauma to the back of the head, suspected to have been caused by a gun butt and he also had an injury to his scrotum.

Police claimed they found banned drugs and prescription medicine on his body, a claim denounced by  Monson as a fabrication designed to "defame his son’ death" and cover up the death.

Monson alleges his son died from torture or medical negligence.

So far police Officers Naftali Chege, Charles Wang'ombe Munyiri (Rtd), Ishmael Bulima and John Pamba have been charged with murdering Mr Alexander in Diani, Kwale County, on May 19, 2012.

Saif Mwalimu Mwakore told Justice Eric Ogola that Alex had been brought into the cell where he had been detained for the night at around 3 AM and told him he had been arrested for smoking bhang.

Mwakore said that he and six of his friends had been arrested for drinking Mnazi and were later released the next day after parting with sh. 500 fine but they left Alexander unconscious at the police station.

He said that when he woke up at around 3 AM to visit the washroom, he heard Alexander banging the cell doors demanding for a cigarette.

“The mzungu (Alexander) had been banging the door requesting for a cigarette but later joined us at the cell and asked me why I was arrested and that is when he told me he was arrested for smoking bhang,” said Mwakore.

He said that when they woke up in the morning to take breakfast, Alexander was fast asleep and could not wake up.

“So we were requested by police to help him out of the cell and we placed him outside the OB areas. And when we left he was there still unconscious,” said Mwakore.

Another witness who had reveled with Alexander the previous night also confirmed that the deceased smoked cannabis twice with his friends at the house and in the car.

Francis Kamau told Justice Eric Ogola that he had met with Alexander at Shakata Club when he visited his friend Eddy and Andrew Bauer and later proceeded into a room where they smoked some weed.

Kamau however denied partaking in the smoke because his ex- girlfriend did not like him smoking the herb.

“Alexander was smoking weed with Andrew in the room at Andrew’s residential area. But I don’t recall because my ex-girlfriend did not like me smoking weed,” said Kamau.

He said they had a busy night later on at Tanduri Bar and could not remember how many drinks they indulged in but could only recall that the deceased was drinking White Cap.”

Kamau said that after they were leaving for home, Alexander lit another roll of weed and while smoking he was approached by a man whom he could not remember or identify in court among the four officers charged.

He said that after Alexander was busted by the man, he slipped away with his girlfriend leaving the deceased  alone in the car with the man who was getting upset.

Kamau said that he had rumors from his mother that Alexander's parents were out to revenge on anyone involved in the death of their son.

“I heard rumors from my mother that Alexander's family was on a revenge mission on those involved in the death of their son because they were bitter and they have a right to,” said Kamau.

The case will proceed on February 27 when the court is set to visit the cells that Alexander was detained in.