A Scottish businessman, Campbell Scott, aged 58, has been found dead in Kenya, prompting shock among the local and expatriate community. Scott, who was based in London and originally from Dunfermline in Fife, was reported missing on February 16 after attending a conference at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nairobi. His body was discovered several days later, leading to investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Reports indicate that his remains were found in a sack filled with ripe pineapples in a forest approximately 66 miles southeast of Nairobi. Local authorities described the state of the body as "bad," noting that it appeared Scott had been tortured prior to his death. According to Thomas Maitha, a local administrator for the Kivani region, "the killer(s) had tied his hands from the back," suggesting that the conditions in which his body was found were particularly distressing.

Scott was last seen leaving the hotel shortly before noon on February 17, and a full six days elapsed before his remains were discovered. His absence raised immediate concern among colleagues who initially suspected he had stepped out for a walk. A spokesperson for Fico, the credit scoring firm for which Scott worked as a senior director, confirmed to The Courier that they had received the tragic news. They expressed their grief, stating, "We are devastated by this tragic news. Campbell was a leader in our international Scores business... We will miss his humour and kindness."

Local media reports have indicated that police have made two arrests in connection with the case, with claims that a taxi driver and a nightclub worker are among those detained. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have stated they will conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Anne Soy, the BBC’s deputy Africa editor, highlighted the unusual nature of Scott's death, particularly given that he was a foreigner on a seemingly legitimate business trip. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's show Good Morning Scotland, she noted, "It is unusual especially because the victim is a foreigner who had just arrived in the country... There are really no theories as to what could have happened."

In a brief statement, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office confirmed their support for Scott's family during this difficult time and indicated that they are in communication with local authorities to monitor the situation.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Campbell Scott's death have raised serious questions and a sense of disbelief among the community in Dunfermline and beyond, as friends and family remember him as a cherished individual in both personal and professional realms.

Source: Noah Wire Services