A Kenyan man who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death over an attack on British tourists is taking legal action against the Metropolitan police for their involvement in his case. Ali Kololo spent over a decade in prison, where he was subjected to “appalling conditions,” before his conviction was overturned in 2023. Kololo was the sole suspect prosecuted for the murder of David Tebbutt and the kidnapping of his wife, Judith, at a Kenyan resort in 2011. Judith Tebbutt, who was held hostage for six months, believes Kololo was wrongly blamed by Scotland Yard.

Kololo’s lawsuit accuses the Met of presenting misleading evidence to a Kenyan court, contributing to his wrongful conviction. The case’s initial hearing is scheduled at the Central London county court. Emails reviewed by the Observer reveal that the Home Office authorized Met officers to assist in Kenya despite the possibility of the death penalty being imposed. Reprieve, a legal charity representing Kololo, contends that this decision violated government rules against supporting actions that could lead to the use of the death penalty.

Preetha Gopalan of Reprieve argues that emails between the Home Office and Foreign Office indicate a “level of panic” over Kololo’s death sentence for robbery with violence. Kololo, a honey-gatherer and woodcutter, allegedly directed the gang involved in the attack. However, he did not fit the shoe linked to a footprint at the crime scene and claims to have been barefoot on the day in question. Judith Tebbutt also believes in Kololo’s innocence, suggesting he was a scapegoat.

Reprieve argues that the Met’s support for the prosecution, including evidence from retired detective chief inspector Neil Hibberd, played a crucial role in securing Kololo’s conviction. Despite an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct finding that Hibberd would have faced charges of gross misconduct if still serving, no action was taken due to his retirement.

Gopalan criticizes the lack of legal representation and language support for Kololo during his trial. She calls for the Met to acknowledge its role, apologize, and provide appropriate compensation. The Met is unable to comment on ongoing legal proceedings, and the Home Office defends its deployment process, emphasizing its commitment to human rights and due diligence.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/29/kenyan-ali-kololo-death-row-sues-met-wrongful-conviction