Freelance journalist murdered in southwest

Reporters Without Borders is shocked by the murder of Francis Kainda Nyaruri, a freelance journalist based in the southwestern town of Nyamira, whose decapitated body was found on 29 January in a nearby forest. He had been missing since 16 January. “We would like above all to express our deep sympathy to the victim's family,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We urge the competent authorities, especially Nyanza province police chief Larry Kieng, to do everything possible to establish the motive for this appalling murder and to bring those responsible to justice, keeping in mind its shocking symbolism for the Kenyan population.” The decapitated body of Nyaruri, who was also known as “Mong'are Mokua,” was found with deep gashes and with the hands tied behind the back in Kodere forest, in the Rachuonyo region (in Nyanza province). It was taken to Kisii hospital. According to the privately-owned daily The Standard, Nyaruri had reported being threatened by police officers over several articles he wrote for a local weekly.