afrol News, 3 February - The beheaded body of Kenyan freelance journalist Francis Kainda Nyaruri was found in a forest in southwestern town of Nyamira. Mr Nyaruri who was reported missing by his family on 15 January, his corpse, with deep wounds was found with the hands tied behind his back on 29 January.

Local reports said Mr Nyaruri disappeared two days after a report on corruption and an extortion racket run by a senior policeman was published by The Weekly Citizen, a local leading tabloid.

"The threats on Kisii based Francis Nyaruri were allegedly made immediately the story appeared under his pen name Mong'are Mokua," local media reported.

Family members said the police were uncooperative and even suggested that Mr Nyaruri had failed to go home alleging that he was having an affair with a woman from a neighboring town.

"When we reported the incident to the Officer Commanding Police Division, Mr Lawrence Mwaura, he was reluctant to act saying that we should wait for two days or even a week," a relative said.

The family members who ended up blaming the police for the death of Mr Nyaruri said police had no intention of helping them in the search, saying the police did not even circulate the missing persons alert to neighboring police stations.

"When I called him he kept complaining that Mr Nyaruri had used journalism to defame him and expose what was not supposed to go to the public," a family member revealed.

Reporters Without Borders said it was shocked by the murder of Mr Nyaruri, found dumped in the forests.

"We would like above all to express our deep sympathy to the victim's family," Reporters Without Borders said. RSF urged the authorities, including the police chief Larry Kieng, to establish the motive behind the murder and to bring those responsible to justice.

According to the privately-owned daily, The Standard, Mr Nyaruri had reported being threatened by police officers over several articles he wrote for a local weekly.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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