The search for a missing British businessman has come to a grim conclusion, as police in Kenya have discovered a body believed to be that of Campbell Scott, a senior director at the data analytics firm Fico. The 58-year-old, originally from Dunfermline in the UK, had been missing since 16 February after traveling to Kenya to attend a conference in Nairobi.
The body was found by animal herders in the Makongo Forest, located about 60 miles southeast of Nairobi, on Saturday. Reports suggest that the body was discovered inside a sack, and initial investigations indicate that Scott may have been strangled.
County police commander Alice Kimeli confirmed the identification of the body, stating that it was indeed Scott. A post-mortem examination will be conducted at Makueni County Referral Hospital to determine the cause of death more precisely.
Scott, who joined Fico in 2014 from Experian UK, had been in Kenya for a three-day workshop, which was due to begin on 18 February. The workshop, organized by TransUnion, was attended by senior officials from the UK, the US, and several African countries.
His disappearance first became apparent after he failed to attend the workshop, prompting his colleagues to raise the alarm. Local media reported that Scott checked into the JW Marriott hotel in Nairobi on the afternoon of Saturday, 15 February. He left the hotel briefly, returning around 4:00 p.m. before departing again late the following morning. His UK-registered phone was unreachable at approximately 6:00 p.m., prompting a missing person report to be filed later that evening.
Kenyan police began investigating his disappearance and uncovered that Scott had been seen at a nightclub in the Westlands area of Nairobi before he went missing. Investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) believe Scott had visited the club the day before his disappearance and had returned there on the day he vanished to meet a friend. Afterward, he reportedly took a taxi to the Pipeline area, one of Nairobi’s largest slums. Authorities suspect Scott may have been held in a house in Pipeline, with the possibility that his abductors attempted to access his bank accounts.
As part of their investigation, Kenyan authorities have arrested two individuals—a taxi driver and a nightclub waiter—on suspicion of abduction and murder. These arrests come after preliminary findings suggested foul play in Scott’s disappearance.
Fico, where Scott was responsible for global regulatory and compliance product management, has expressed its grief over his loss and assured that it is working with local partners and authorities to assist in the investigation.
Scott’s tragic death has sent shockwaves through both his professional network and the broader business community. Colleagues and friends remember him as a dedicated and valued member of Fico’s leadership team, leaving behind a legacy of professional achievement and a significant void within the company.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about the motive behind Scott’s abduction and murder. Police are expected to provide further updates as they continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.
