Bongo-Bongo anyone? Briton butchered by machete gang in Kenya paradise

Lt Col David Parkinson brutally murdered

Lieutenant Colonel David Parkinson, 56, died after he and his wife Sonja were attacked at their ranch in Laikipia, Kenya, on Saturday.

Police said the five-member gang entered the couple’s bedroom at their Rift Valley home by breaking a glass door with a stone.

They ordered the couple to hand over their firearms and all their money.

Local reports suggest the gang took 300 Kenyan shillings – equivalent to just £2.19 – a bottle of champagne and a mobile phone.

It was claimed that Lt Col Parkinson bled to death after having his left hand cut off.

Mrs Parkinson managed to escape and returned later to find her husband dead.

Area police commander Marius Tum said: “One of the gang members was armed with a pistol, another with a machete while the rest had crude weapons.

“While one of them was terrorising Mr Parkinson, the others tied his wife’s hands with ropes.

“Mrs Parkinson, who had sustained a cut on her back, managed to untie herself and escape to a nearby store where she hid herself until the gangsters left.”

Police ruled out suggestions that Lt Col Parkinson was shot despite detectives recovering a bullet.

Mr Tum said that a post-mortem examination would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Detectives arrested a suspect from a nearby village yesterday after mounting a major operation using sniffer dogs.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the death of a British national and are standing ready to supply consular assistance.”

Well known for his conservation work in the north of Kenya, Lt Col Parkinson was a company director and had worked in the country for most of the past decade after retiring from the forces in 2003.

He had also served as deputy director at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy after a 30-year career for which he was awarded a military OBE in 1998.

Lt Col Parkinson was also the director of the eastern unit of the Laikipia Wildlife Forum.

He was a staunch believer in involving local communities when trying to protect wildlife.

Former colleague David Blair paid tribute to Lt Col Parkinson saying: “You were a good boss and always made time to talk to the blokes.”

Lt Col Parkinson led conservation in Laikipia, Kenya, where rhinos are bred

His wife managed to untie herself and escape to a store

Friend Walter Agutu Awinda described the tragedy as “such a loss” adding: “David Parkinson was a good man.”

The couple’s ranch is in the outskirts of Nanyuki town, 18 miles to the north of Mount Kenya.

Lt Col Parkinson moved to the picturesque Lolldaiga Hills following his retirement. He also instructed students at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

He had graduated from the prestigious military college after leaving Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School.

During his three decades in the Army he served in the First and Second Battalions of The Parachute Regiment as well as a spell in the Depot, The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces.

He gained a masters degree in Military Leadership and Management from Staff College, Camberley.

Following the attack, the Kenyan government has pledged to beef up security in the area.

Interior principle secretary Mutea Iringo said: “The government has assured investors that it will provide security to them.

“This follows the murder of Laikipia businessman David Parkinson.”

Source express

Posted in: Africa,Anti Zog Media