Four police officers were jailed by the High Court following a guilty verdict on Monday, November 15, 2021.
The four officers were found guilty of manslaughter following the death of Alexander Monson, son of a British aristocrat. He was found dead in a police cell in Diani in 2012.
The ruling by Judge Eric Ogolla at the Mombasa High Court once again highlighted the growing menace of police brutality experienced in the country.
"This should send a strong message to the Kenyan police force to have respect for human life," an emotional Hilary Monson, Alexander's mother, told the court.
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The four police officers are Naftali Chege, Charles Wangombe Munyiri, Baraka Buluma and John Pamba.
Justice Ogola sentenced Chege 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.
"I just feel like after waiting for 10 years, the sentence given to the accused persons isn't enough for a mother who lost her child in such a brutal manner," Monson's mother told journalists after the sentencing.
Alexander, 28, died in custody after he was arrested for what police said was smoking cannabis during a night out in Diani beach.
Justice Ogla stated that the drugs were planted on the deceased after his death as a cover-up, adding that Alexander was in perfect health before his arrival at the station and was "brutally tortured" while there.
"I am satisfied that the death of the deceased was caused through unlawful omission on the part of the accused persons for failing to seek medical care for the deceased in good time," he said.
Alexander was the son of Nicholas, the 12th Baron Monson, and heir to a family estate in Lincolnshire in eastern England. He was in court during the sentencing.
"I think the verdict could have been stronger, but I know obviously the suspects will face some punishment in jail," Monson said, following the verdict.
Two reports by government pathologists, seen by Reuters at the time, concluded that Alexander had died after suffering a traumatic blow to the head.
