Francis Nyaruri – Status: No Case Initiated

On January 29, 2009, Kenyan journalist Francis Nyaruri, missing for two weeks after threats, was found decapitated with his hands bound in Kodera Forest. The family claims police delayed investigating, alleging bias and negligence. His death highlights risks faced by journalists reporting on corruption.

Francis Nyaruri’s last work/words: His last article has just been released, exposing police officials to corruption in construction facilities in Nyamira and neighbouring cities and towns.

Journalist Information:

Name: Francis Nyaruri 

Age: 31

Gender: Male

DOB: 1978

Nationality: Kenyan

Last company worked for: Weekly Citizen

Family: Francis left behind his widow and his only living parent, his father, when he was kidnapped and murdered.

Incident Information:

Date of incident – 29 January 2009

Location of incident – Nyanza, Kenya

Offense victim of: Assassination

Weapons included – Decapitation

Francis Nyaruri was decapitated and grotesquely disfigured; his hands were tied behind his back to render him helpless.

Suspect(s) Information:

Perpetrator Identified: Yes

Name: Sungusungu Gang

Proof of Targeting the Journalist: It was January 29, 2009, two weeks after the reporter had gone missing while on a trip to Kisii, about t30 kilometers from his home in Nyamira. At the time of the murder, Nyaruri had just finished a story accusing a police official of corruption in the construction of facilities in Nyamira and elsewhere. It wasn’t his first piece questioning the performance and integrity of national police officials stationed in Western Kenya.

Reason for Killing: Around the time of Nyaruri’s death, the last article had just been released, exposing police officials to corruption in construction facilities in Nyamira and neighbouring cities and towns.

Progress of the Case: No case has been made.

Read More: https://cpj.org/data/people/francis-nyaruri/