Human rights organizations are conducting an investigation into a death that occurred at a Del Monte pineapple plantation in Kenya. Last month, a man’s body was discovered in a dam on the farm.
Peter Mutuku Mutisya, 25, was found dead in a dam on Del Monte’s plantation near Thika on November 17th. His body was discovered four days after his friends claimed he had gone there to steal pineapples.
The developments have been uncovered in a joint investigation by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ). They follow allegations published in June of brutal assaults and killings by security guards at the farm, which is the single largest exporter of Kenyan produce to the world.
Following the revelations in June, Del Monte pledged to continuously improve its operations in order to comply with the highest global human rights standards.
The police report, which was ordered after Mutisya’s death, determined that drowning was the cause of death and noted the absence of any visible external injuries. A physician hired by Del Monte also participated in the investigation and produced their own report.
The Guardian published reports and a photo of the body to a prominent British forensic pathologist. According to him, the body showed indications of possible injuries, specifically on the head and arm. He also expressed concern over crucial information missing in the postmortem reports.
According to a representative from Del Monte, the largest provider of pineapples in the world, the company has fully collaborated with Kenyan officials during their investigation last month. They also expressed their sincere sympathies to the family.
They stated: “The postmortem report, which was approved by the directorate of criminal investigations officer and four doctors in attendance, concluded that the person’s cause of death was drowning and there was no evidence of foul play.”
The matter is under examination by two organizations, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the non-governmental organization, the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
“We are currently investigating the case with our complaints and investigation division at KNCHR,” stated Dr. Bernard Mogesa, the chief executive. He also added that the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring that those responsible for any unlawful actions are held accountable.
The committee, created by a Kenyan law, declared a wider inquiry into accusations of brutality and murders at Del Monte in June following the release of reports by the Guardian and TBIJ. However, no results have been made public yet.
On the day of discovery, Brian Olang K’Olang, an employee at the Kenya Human Rights Commission, inspected the corpse at the morgue and spoke with witnesses as part of his investigation. He noted the presence of head trauma and other wounds on Mutisya’s body.
According to him, it was clear. “I suspect there was wrongdoing.” He is concerned that the pathologist may have intentionally disregarded the indications of harm.
27-year-old Martin Chege Mutuku told the Guardian that he and a friend accompanied Mutisya on November 13th to steal ripe pineapples. According to Mutuku, as they were leaving the pineapple field, Mutisya went ahead and three guards suddenly appeared. He stated that he was apprehended, physically assaulted, and restrained on the ground. Court documents reveal that Mutuku was officially charged the following day with stealing from the farm on that same night.
Another man stated that he managed to escape without injury. Mutuku recounted that while he was lying on the ground, the guards heard Mutisya coming back with bags and two of them pursued him. “I heard a scream and then everything went silent a few minutes later,” he asserted.
Samuel Katendie, the father of Mutisya, observed his son’s remains and noted evidence of bleeding at the back of the head and visible marks on the neck that appeared consistent with strangulation. While postmortem examinations may reveal damage to bodies, any visible marks should still be documented.
The father of Mutisya claimed that his son was a skilled swimmer and could not comprehend how he could have drowned. He expressed disappointment in the lack of justice after the doctor’s report on November 22nd stated that there were no injuries.
A personal consultant pathologist was paid by Del Monte to attend the postmortem examination. In his report, he stated firmly that there was no indication of a third party’s involvement in the death, as there were no injuries found during the examination.
A prominent forensic pathologist in the UK, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed concerns about the content of the postmortem reports. He stated that it is inappropriate for any pathologist to make such statements. He also mentioned that the omissions in the reports bring into question their validity in supporting the theory that Mutisya died from drowning.
A British pathologist and a colleague analyzed the reports and found that the only official postmortem report mentioned petechial haemorrhages, which are tiny spots of bleeding around the eyes. This could suggest strangulation as a cause of death, but it could also be caused by drowning or other factors. They also noted that there was no written record of an examination of the neck, which should have been included at the very least. However, this was not mentioned in either report.
The pathologist hired by Del Monte in Kenya maintained that his conclusions were accurate. He confidently stated, “My report is definitive. This is the common procedure in forensic autopsies.” He also raised doubts about the ability of a pathologist to accurately assess a decomposed body based solely on a photograph.
A representative from Del Monte stated that they have faith in the legal system of Kenya. They are dedicated to the community in which they operate and have a strong commitment to upholding human rights, a value that has been a part of their company for 135 years. They have consistently supported the community and take their social responsibility seriously, not just in Kenya but in all the locations where they operate.
According to the spokesperson, the Kenyan authorities are leading the investigation. However, requests for comment from the police have gone unanswered.
Source: theguardian.com
