Mother wants justice for her son found dead in police custody

Mombasa, Friday, May 05, 2023,

K.N.A By Sadik Hassan

The family of Alexander Monson, son of a British aristocrat found dead in a police cell in Diani in 2012 are demanding justice after four policemen accused of his murder were released by the Court of Appeal.

Monson, 28, was the son of Nicholas, the 12th Baron Monson and heir to a family estate in Lincolnshire in eastern England. He was found dead after being arrested for what the police said was smoking cannabis during a night out in Diani.

Three Court of Appeal Judges Gatembu Kairu, Pauline Nyamweya and Jessie Lesiit on 28th April 2023 quashed the convictions and set aside the sentences against the four policemen following their successful appeal case.

The four policemen who were acquitted by the Court of Appeal are Naftali Chege, Charles Wangombe Munyiri, Baraka Bulima and John Pamba.

Chege was sentenced to 15 years in jail, five of which were suspended. Munyiri was sentenced to 12 years, six of which were suspended. Buluma was given nine years, five of which were suspended, and Pamba was sentenced to 12 years, six of them suspended.

Addressing the press in Mombasa Wednesday the mother of the deceased Hilary Monson could not hold back her tears.

She expressed her dissatisfaction with the court of appeal ruling saying “It’s a very sad time for us,” she vowed not to relent in pursuit of justice for her son until justice it is served.

Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) board member Khelef Khalifa said for parents to lose a child is a very sad situation. He accuses the police of cover-up to secure the release of their colleagues.

Khelef exhorted the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to lodge a review of the court of appeal ruling before the Supreme Court.

“Somebody must take responsibility for failure to properly investigate this case. We will urge the office of DPP to speed up this case so that it can be concluded,” he said

We are blaming the police because it is the police who arrested him, put him in a cell and murdered him; that is the ruling of the Mombasa high court almost two years ago,’’ said Khelef. 

Courtesy K.N.A