It is with deep regret that we announce the death of one of our ex ESS colleagues, Khurshid Ahmed Butt in Mombasa, Kenya. Inna lillahe wa Inna alhe rajeoon.

He was found murdered at home around 3rd March 2009. He was 69.

Khurshid was a prominent sportsman at school and played football and hockey for the first teams. He was a determined, committed, positive man with radical ideas, which he expressed through his excellent oratorical skills. Khurshid won a scholarship to study in Moscow and returned to Kenya in the field of Education. He was the Head teacher at Kibera Primary School in the 70s and later went into Land and Estate Agency business, where he was very successful.

Alas, it was his outspoken nature and his strong belief in fighting injustice that we believe led to his death. He was a very popular member of his group and well liked by his friends and classmates, all of who will miss him dearly. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

May Allah bless his soul and give peace and sabar to his family!

The following article was published in the Daily Nation Nairobi

Mombasa businessman found dead - By EUNICE MACHUHI
Posted Tuesday, March 17 2009 at 14:56

Police have launched investigations into the murder of a prominent Mombasa businessman, who was slain two weeks ago by unknown assailants.

Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Butt died in his house which is within the central business district, after he was hit with a sharp object and his lifeless body left lying on the floor, only to be discovered hours later.

While confirming the incident, Mombasa district criminal investigation officer Amos Tebeny also said that his officers were pursuing a houseboy who allegedly fled with the deceased's car soon after the incident.

Mr. Butt shot into the limelight in 2004 after the judicial radical surgery, when he decided to testify against Court of Appeal judge Justice Philip Waki who was suspended after allegations of corruption were leveled against him, among other appellate and High Court judges.

The judge was being investigated for the manner in which he handled cases filed by Mr. Butt in Nairobi and Mombasa. Mr. Butt who was the only complainant against Mr. Justice Waki accused him of having a close relationship with the Akashas in Mombasa.

In one of his letters to the Ringera Committee which was responsible for the surgery, Mr. Butt claimed that he did some construction work at the Akasha house but was later assaulted by members of the family.

During his visits, he claimed that Mr. Justice Waki and former Chief Justice Bernard Chunga were regular visitors there.

Mr. Justice Waki was however acquitted of the allegations by the Akiwumi Tribunal which described the charges as weak and frivolous, and was consequently reinstated to his job.

Yesterday, Mr. Tebeny noted that police were pursuing vital links that could lead them into arresting any suspects, as none had been arrested so far. "I have some officers investigating the case in Mombasa, while others are in Western searching for the houseboy because we understand that he hails from there," he said.

He noted that relatives discovered his death after a house girl who had gone to the house found the door locked, and upon knocking the occupant took long to open it, which according to her was rather unusual. "The deceased was living alone but he had also employed a houseboy who would perform some household chores and go back to his house in Likoni," he told the Nation.

He added that when the house girl found the door locked, she tried calling the house boy, but he was allegedly not picking his phone, which aroused her suspicion. "That was when she decided to alert Mr. Butt's relatives, who called the police," he said.

He said his body was taken to the Coast General Hospital.