MY TRIBUTE TO THE LATE KENNETH FOSTER QC (AS I SEE IT)

When I learnt of the passing of Kenneth Foster QC I was shocked to the deepest part of me and indeed became restless. He was an illustrious son of St Lucia, a juggernaut in his own right and indeed a formidable force to be reckoned with, and unflappable in the court room, so was the life of Kenneth Foster. Kenny, as he was fondly called by many, was well known in Trinidad and Tobago having participated in several prominent cases in the 1960s and 1970s, including the famous Abdul Malik trial.

Foster represented murder accused Malik also known as Michael de Freitas and Michael X. This trial captured not just local attention but made international news since the victim, Gale Ann Benson, was the daughter of an English Conservative MP. Foster was also former Attorney General of St Lucia and acted as Prime Minister on several occasions. He also served as Minister of Communication and Works and was also leader of St Lucia Labour Party at some point. As MP he represented the constituencies of Ans la Raye and Canaries.

I call upon the Prime Minister of St Lucia and the Governor General to ensure that Kenneth Foster is given a State Funeral, as indeed, a former Prime Minister, Acting or not, his, is a deserving story for a State funeral. I also call upon the Governor General to include posthumously, the name Kenneth Foster for a double honour as CBE and KBE for his contribution to the Criminal Bar, which is exemplary and well deserved.

My condolence message to the Foster family, in particularly, Peter and Colin as the passing of their father is an irreparable loss and my thoughts are with the entire family. Undoubtedly, Peter and Colin are proud of their father, as the said the greatest legal doyen of his and our generation. No doubt, the passage of Kenneth Foster represents the end of a generation whose high professional touch would be missed by all. I pray that God grants the deceased’s family the fortitude to bear the loss. 

Kenneth Foster needs no introduction. He was the afternoon star. He was the morning dew that drenched both friends and foes. I salute the spirit of this great St Lucian and indeed indefatigable patriot. Though he is no longer with us physically, his unrelenting grandeur and fight for justice shall be eternally with us. 

If there was also a politician who understood the psychology of his people, it was Kenneth Foster. He was a Master in the legal arena. And like the consummate politician he was, he spoke the language of the people. He was a compound polyglot, who sang the legal language that many revered unto this day. Kenneth Foster was an intellectual giant and dazzled and dwarfed his peers at the Criminal Bar. Kenneth Foster was a wordsmith in legal citations off-the-cuff and indeed a walking legal encyclopaedia that could be consulted even on the move and he would gladly oblige you.

His demeanour, candour and wit played a crucial role for him during his lifetime legal practice.  His disposition towards enhanced societal welfare and care for the common man remains worthy of emulation. His quintessential contribution to the Criminal Bar was second to none and to this day remains on the lips of many. 

Kenneth Foster QC passed on, a fulfilled man in 2020. He deserves the “greatest credit’ (and indeed whatever accolades) he had got and will continue to get posthumously from now till eternity.  Kenny as he was called by many! Rest well in the great beyond. The great Lion of the Eastern Caribbean rest well. Adieu!!