Suspects Alex Mutua Kithuka and Albunus Mutinda Nzioki appeared in court on suspicion of murder (Image: Citizen TV Kenya)
Two suspects have been hauled into court following the grim discovery of a British man’s body alongside some pineapples. Campbell Scott, aged 58, was found in a remote Kenyan forest by a cattle herder in Makongo, 60 miles from his Nairobi hotel, bound by wrists and ankles with obvious wounds to his hands.
Following weeks of investigation, two men, Alex Mutua Kithuka and Albunus Mutinda Nziokim, appeared before a magistrate in Kenya on Monday. The prosecution has argued that may have met his end at Mutua’s home in Nairobi’s Pipeline district.
Local news reports indicate that the duo attempted to drain the businessman’s bank accounts using his credit cards across Nairobi, Voi, and Mombasa ports. Their arrest came just days ago on March 1, with them being apprehended along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway, after it surfaced that Mutua had hastily vacated his residence.
Detained for the next 21 days and denied bail pending further inquiries, the pair are due back in the court arena on March 21. With his personal effects still missing, the court was told: “His phone and credit cards are yet to be recovered. Due to the seriousness of the case, the applicant is apprehensive that if released on bail at this time, they will not attend court.”
The last known CCTV sighting of Campbell Scott (Image: YouTube)
This follows the capture of an alleged key figure on Sunday, nabbed in Mombasa following weeks on the run from the law,
Investigators have revealed that the suspect in the alleged murder of Mr Scott has been in hiding since February 18, the day of the supposed crime. A taxi driver and waiter, who were arrested last week in connection with the case, have been released without charge after being found innocent over the weekend.
They will now be treated as witnesses, reports . Police believe there are at least two more accomplices still on the loose, possibly hiding in Nairobi or Mombasa.
The arrest has been hailed as a breakthrough by homicide officers handling the case, although they have not disclosed the motive behind the alleged murder. Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin told the Eastleigh Voice: “We have a prime suspect in the murder of Scott. The hunt for more suspects is ongoing. We hope to get more suspects involved in this callous murder.”
Meanwhile, toxicology tests are set to commence after Mr Scott’s post-mortem returned inconclusive results last week.
Scottish businessman Campbell Scott (Image: PA)
Medical professionals were left puzzled over the cause of Mr Scott’s death as the post-mortem revealed blows to his head, along with other injuries, would not have been fatal. Speaking on NTV Kenya, local reporter Katherine Mwando said: “Sources close to the investigation said Scott may not have been murdered. But rather may have suffered complications after consuming a performance enhancing pill.
“He may have developed these complications while at Pipeline Estate Nairobi, the last location he was seen alive. His injuries may not have been from a violent attack. Officials have taken further samples from the body including a toxicology report.”
Mr Scott arrived in Kenya on February 15 for a three-day conference with his work FICO, where he held the position of senior director. Concerns were raised by his colleagues when he didn’t return to his hotel after going out for drinks with a friend.
It is believed that his family arrived in Kenya last week amidst the ongoing murder investigation.