Mombasa top cop who died in bar succumbed to pneumonia, autopsy

The senior police officer who was found dead while seated in a bar in Bombolulu area, Kisauni succumbed to pneumonia, an autopsy has revealed.

The postmortem examination results handed to top security officials and family members on Friday at the Coast General Hospital mortuary might end speculations over the sudden death of the officer.

Initial reports suggested Chief Inspector William Chepkwony was poisoned amid reports that in days preceding his death he had received Sh1 million in accumulated salary arrears which he, allegedly, used to buy farming implements in his rural home.

Around 2016, he was ordered to report without pay for years for allegedly absconding his duties but after a successful appeal, his unpaid salary of years running into millions of shillings was paid in two batches.

The Chief inspector died last week on Tuesday morning in one of the entertainment joints in Bombolulu.

He had drunk till 11.00 pm before leaving and returned in the morning at the premises, according to witnesses. It was then he was found slumped on a chair with his pistol and wads of notes on him.

On Friday, Kisauni Police boss Julius Kiragu confirmed to The Standard that his office had received the report from the pathologist who conducted the exercise and shared with the family.

"The doctor's report in our possession and which have been shared to the family members reveals that the officer died of pneumonia," Mr Kiragu told The Standard on phone.

However it is not clear for how long the officer had been suffering from the disease.

The officer who has been in the station for over four years was heard through the police radio set requesting for a warm jumper after saying he was feeling cold.

Mr Kiragu said preparations to ferry the body were still underway.

The officer who hails from Tilol, Ainapkoi constituency in Uasin Gishu County had worked in Kayole, Nairobi and Isiolo as well as being an instructor at Kiganjo training college before he was transferred to Mombasa.

He is survived by a widow and four children.