Family Seeks Justice for BBC Charity Worker Murdered in Kenya

The family of British charity worker Kate Mitchell, murdered in Kenya, demands answers after a coroner ruled her death unlawful. Despite the ruling, key details about the case remain unclear, and Mitchell’s family criticizes Kenyan authorities for their failure to conduct a proper investigation. They argue that her murder reflects a universal issue of violence against women.

The family of Kate Mitchell, a British charity worker killed in Kenya over three years ago, continues to seek answers regarding her death after a coroner ruled she was unlawfully killed. Mitchell, 42, from Whitley Bay, worked as a project manager for BBC Media Action when her body was discovered in an Ibis hotel on November 19, 2021, following an attack by an intruder, whose body was later found below the hotel.

Coroner Karin Welsh of Newcastle stated the postmortem determined that Mitchell died from blunt head trauma and neck constriction. She noted that key details about the case still remain unknown due to insufficient information from Kenyan authorities. The suspect, who either fell or jumped from the hotel window, also died, further complicating the investigation.

In light of these findings, Mitchell’s brother Pete has urged the Kenyan government to conduct a thorough investigation. He highlighted that his sister had been redeployed to Nairobi from Addis Ababa due to the civil war in Ethiopia and emphasized that the nature of her death represents a broader issue of violence against women globally. He said, “Kate’s death was nothing to do with her job… It was femicide.”

Welsh acknowledged that the family still has many unanswered questions and expressed hope that answers would eventually surface. Meanwhile, Pete Mitchell has instructed a lawyer to advocate for a formal inquiry in Nairobi, criticizing the Kenyan police for their lack of cooperation: “The Kenyan police have just stonewalled any inquiries.”

Mitchell also reflected on his sister’s character, describing her as passionate about her work and incredibly brave. She had significant international experience in various African nations, including Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Zambia, where she worked tirelessly to empower local media initiatives. He praised her tenacity and intelligence, stating, “She was the smartest person I’ve ever met.”

The family of Kate Mitchell, a BBC charity worker murdered in Nairobi, struggles for closure and justice as a coroner’s ruling affirms her death was unlawful. The investigation remains stalled, and the family critiques the Kenyan authorities for inadequate efforts. As they seek to understand the circumstances surrounding her death, they emphasize the broader implications of violence against women.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com