One year later, killers of British heir roam free

By Tobias Chanji

Kwale, Kenya: It is now about one year since the mysterious death of a British national in the hands of police in Diani, Kwale County.

Alexander Monson, who was heir to Monson baronetcy and an only son of his father Baron Nicholas Monson, was arrested on May 18 last year and died a day later from injuries his family believes were inflicted by police or fellow cell-mates at Diani Police Station.

According to the deceased’s mother Hillary Martin, Alexander, who lived with his father following a divorce, was in the process of acquiring Kenyan citizenship when he suddenly died on May 19 after arriving in Kenya about a month later.

The family has been pressing for prosecution of his alleged killers and for justice.

Sunday, Alexander’s mother, who is a Kenyan, step father John Lockhart and brother Peter Lockhart, protested at Diani Police Station demanding justice. They called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to help them find killers of their kin.

A report compiled ten months ago by a special team has never been published. It is believed the dossier is lying at Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) office. The family was accompanied by officials of Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) agency in a protest police had initially declared illegal.

“It is now a year since my son Monson, 28, died,” she said and added, “I beg our new president and his government to open this new era with enhanced security for all Kenyans, including those arrested.”

The family went to the police station with 365 rose flowers to signify a year has elapsed without them finding justice.

Prescription drugs

They read a statement to Msambweni OCPD Jack Ekakoro, who is new to the station. The group also left flowers at Palm Beach Hospital where Alexander was pronounced dead.

Following his arrest at Mwisho wa Lami in Diani, police claimed they found him with prescription drugs namely Tadafil, Diazepam and Ketamine hidden in his car.

They further alleged he was nabbed smoking cannabis sativa in public. After being locked up in the cells, Alexander was found unconscious the following morning and taken to Palm Beach Hospital where he died. Alexander’s family has dismissed police account of events leading to his death insisting no drugs were found on him.

“Police have a duty to care those in their custody. No cannabis or illegal drugs were found on my son nor in his vehicle. But even if he had been in breach of the law, the police have a duty to ensure that the perpetrator of crime reaches the court for a fair trial,” read the family’s statement.

Ms Martin stated an autopsy showed Alexander died from a blunt force on his head and there were marks of torture on his body.

“I am a Kenyan mother suffering like many others. The loss of my beloved son at the hands of murderers, who are living amongst us free to kill again, is unwarranted. A year has gone and nobody has been charged,” she added.

The OCPD told the group investigations are still underway, adding that a report on preliminary findings is with DPP Keriako Tobiko.

“What I want to assure all is that, however, long the investigations will take, the family should be patient as we get to the root of this matter. The file is with the DPP and very soon, we will get his communication,” said Ekakoro.

Muhuri executive director Hussein Khalid urged the DPP to work with speed to bring justice to the family.