Four Kenyan Police Officers to Face Murder Trial over the Death of British Aristocrat Alex Monson

Four Kenyan police officers are set to face trial over the murder of British aristocrat Alex Monson, who died in their custody nine years ago.

This comes after High Court Judge Erick Ogolla on Monday ruled that the four—Naftali Chege, Charles Wangombe Munyiri, Baraka Bulima and John Pamba—have a case to answer in the death of Alex.

“The accused should tell the court what happened since the deceased was arrested in good health,” judge Ogolla ruled.

Alex is the son of Lord Nicholas Monson, the 12th Baron Monson and heir to a family estate in Lincolnshire, England.

The 28-year-old was found dead in his cell after police officers arrested him at a beach resort in Diani in May 2012 for allegedly smoking cannabis.

Police claim he died of an overdose but autopsy revealed he suffered a traumatic blow to the head. Alex’s mother Hilary Monson told the court that her son was not a drug addict at the time of his death.

An inquest established that there were attempts to cover up the murder, and threats against witnesses. 45 witnesses, among them police officers, testified during the inquest.

In his ruling, the judge said he was satisfied with the prosecution’s bid to press murder charges against the four policemen, adding that no evidence was tabled in court to show that Alex was assaulted elsewhere other than within the police station where he was held after arrest.