NAIROBI: Kenya has launched a murder investigation into the death of a BBC staff member in a Nairobi hotel room, the city’s police chief said Monday.
The body of Kate Mitchell, a British national who worked for BBC Media Action, the broadcaster’s international charity, was found on Friday, shortly after an emergency alarm was activated in her room, police said.
Her eighth-floor room’s window was broken and the body of a man she had been with earlier was found on the ground outside the hotel.
“We are investigating circumstances surrounding these deaths, but so far it is apparent the man jumped (out of) the window after killing her,” Nairobi police chief Augustine Thumbi told AFP.
“We do not know the motive so far, and these are things the investigators are trying to put together.”
In a statement, the BBC said Mitchell worked with the organization for 14 years, most recently as a senior project manager in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.
“We are all shocked and horrified by this terrible news,” BBC Media Action CEO Caroline Nursey said.
“Kate was a much-loved member of staff... she was well known across our whole organization, especially by our teams in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Zambia, and London.
“We send our deepest condolences to her family and her many friends around the world,” she added.
The victim’s brother Peter Mitchell described her as “a deeply beloved daughter, sister and friend.”
“Kate loved her work and was tireless in her efforts to make the world a better place,” he said in a statement released on behalf of the family.
“We are only beginning to realize the magnitude of her loss,” he said, adding that the family was in touch with British authorities and BBC Media Action to understand the circumstances behind her death.
A donor-funded charity, BBC Media Action focuses on using media and community to support marginalized groups around the world.
Kenya police launch murder probe into BBC staffer's death
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Kenya police launch murder probe into BBC staffer's death
UK Police arrest 86 people at prison protest for Palestine Action hunger striker
- Demonstration outside Wormwood Scrubs held in support of Umer Khalid
- Khalid 1 of 5 people charged in connection with break-in at RAF base last year
LONDON: A protest outside a prison in the UK in support of a man detained for supporting the banned group Palestine Action has led to the arrest of 86 people.
London’s Metropolitan Police said a group of demonstrators breached the grounds of Wormwood Scrubs prison in the capital, refused to leave when ordered to do so, and threatened officers. They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
The group, several of whom attempted to gain access to the prison itself, were protesting in support of Umer Khalid, who is currently on hunger strike at the facility.
Khalid is one of five people charged in relation to a break-in by Palestine Action members at an RAF base at Brize Norton last year, in which two military aircraft were damaged.
Khalid, who denies the charges, is one of several people who are on or who have taken part in hunger strikes in recent months, all of whom have been held on similar charges for over a year without their cases being brought to trial.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Ministry of Justice said: “The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable. While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.
“At no point was prison security compromised. However, where individuals’ actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.
“Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy. This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.”
