A key suspect in the murder of British businessman Campbell Scott has died under dramatic circumstances, police confirmed on Friday.
Samuel Musembi, who was at the center of an intense police manhunt, reportedly took his own life while in hiding.
Musembi, accused of transporting Scott’s body from Nairobi’s Pipeline area to Makongo Forest in Makueni County, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Wednesday morning.
Investigators believe he first attempted to poison himself, and when that failed, he inflicted multiple stab wounds on his body.
A Murder That Shocked the Nation
Campbell Scott, 58, had arrived in Kenya for a business conference but vanished on February 17. His body was later discovered on February 22, raising alarm over the circumstances surrounding his death. Authorities suspect he was lured into a fake business meeting before being murdered.
According to police reports, Musembi went into hiding at a relative’s home in Dandora before relocating to a friend’s house, where he was eventually discovered. The friend, unaware of his alleged criminal ties, provided him shelter for the night but later tipped off authorities.
The Final Moments
On Tuesday morning, the friend left for work, only to return in the evening to a disturbing scene. The door was locked from inside, and after forcing his way in, he found Musembi unconscious on the bed.
Foam was visible around his mouth, his neck was bleeding, and he had a stab wound on his body.
He was rushed to Mama Lucy Hospital, which declined to admit him due to the severity of his injuries. He was then transferred to KNH, where he died hours later.
Investigation Intensifies
On Friday, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin confirmed that an autopsy would be conducted to establish the exact cause of death. Musembi was among three suspects wanted in connection with Scott’s murder. The other suspects, Benard Mbunga Mbusu and Alphonse Munyao Kilewa (alias Edu), were also apprehended following a public appeal for information.
Meanwhile, two additional suspects—Alex Mutua Kithuka and Albunus Mutinda Nzioki—are already in police custody and assisting with investigations.
According to detectives, Scott was taken to Mutua’s home in Pipeline, where he was allegedly killed. His suspected killers then attempted to withdraw money using his credit cards in Nairobi, Voi, and Mombasa before being intercepted and arrested along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on March 1.
As authorities continue piecing together the chilling details of Scott’s murder, the case has raised serious concerns about organized crime and security risks for foreign investors in Kenya.
