At least 50 people, including three police officers, have died suddenly in the last month, according to police records. 

Most of them appeared healthy and died shortly after experiencing chest pains, either at home, on the way to the hospital or at the hospital. 

One of the latest cases involves a General Service Unit (GSU) officer attached to the Presidential Escort Unit who died on Tuesday evening just as he was about to board a police vehicle. 

“Sergeant Daniel Kipruto Kangogo collapsed while he was about to board the service vehicle, a Toyota Prado. He was rushed to Karen Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival,” a brief to police headquarters stated. 

The body was moved to Chiromo Funeral Home, awaiting postmortem. 

These sudden and unexpected death cases are characterised by little to no warning signs of illness. The warning signs may be similar to any heart complication, though most people have no symptoms. 

However, if symptoms are present, they may include shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, palpitations, and chest discomfort, according to medical experts. 

A few hours before the death of the officer, Nairobi County Assembly was also thrown into mourning after  Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve also died after he developed chest pains while driving to the office in town. 

According to Speaker Kennedy Ngondi, Munuve developed chest pains and was rushed to a private hospital along Kiambu Road. He died in the car outside the gate. 

Ngondi said the body was moved to Lee Funeral Home pending an autopsy. 

“The leadership of the County Assembly of Nairobi is deeply saddened to announce the death of one of our members, Joel Munuve,” the speaker said. 

He added: “His sudden demise is a profound loss to his family, his constituents and the entire Nairobi City county government. On behalf of the county assembly of Nairobi and on my behalf as the speaker, we convey our deepest condolences to the family, friends and constituents of Munuve.” 

Developed chest pains

On April 17, veteran journalist Ben Ochieng Ogodo also died after he complained of sudden and severe chest pain. 

“Ochieng had been feeling unwell in recent days, attributing it to a mild flu. However, on Wednesday evening, he was in good spirits and even followed the Arsenal versus Real Madrid match, sharing his thoughts actively on Facebook,” the family said. 

Around 2 am, he experienced sudden and severe chest pain, and he immediately alerted his children, who responded quickly by calling a cab, and he was rushed to Mama Lucy Hospital. 

“Sadly, despite the prompt efforts, Ochieng was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital’s emergency section,” the family added. 

Just a day after Ogodo’s death, Kennedy Ochieng Arek also died in his sleep.

According to the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of performance and delivery management, Eliud Owalo Arek died in his sleep in his rural home in Siaya County. 

“It is difficult to come to terms with Ken’s sudden death. To me, he was like a younger brother – steadfast and loyal, standing by my side through thick and thin over the past 12 years,” Owalo said. 

Another Police Constable attached to Ololunga Traffic Base, Faith Chepkirui, suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Tenwek Hospital, where she died while undergoing treatment. 

On April 16, James Mathenge, a teacher at Nadhir Integrated Academy, collapsed while playing with pupils at Sir Ali Muslim Academy grounds. He was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead on arrival. 

On April 8, Margaret Kemunto, 46, died at the Trade Winds Villa and Spa Milele in Diani, Kwale County. The deceased had visited the washrooms when her colleagues heard her scream once. 

“The attendant rushed to check on her and found her seated on the toilet seat, having difficulty breathing. She was rushed to Diani Beach Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival,” a police officer said. 

On April 10, Direct Line Insurance CEO Sammy Kanyi’s househelp, Irene Wamalwa, was also found dead inside her room in Kileleshwa. 

Irene, 44, failed to wake up for her house chores, prompting her employers to go and check on her. She stayed alone in a servants’ quarters room, which is within the main house, police said. 

Sudden deaths

Police are also investigating the sudden death of Francis Ntongai, 40, who was found dead in his bed in Kiburuti village in Tigania West, Meru County, on March 30.

The mother said he was last seen the previous night before his body was discovered the following day at 2 pm. 

Another man, James Abusa, 66, was also found dead in his house in Nyironi village, Borabu in Nyamira County.

The deceased the previous day requested his neighbour to park his vehicle, which had broken down, in his compound before his lifeless body was found in his house. 

In another case on March 31, Elizabeth Raswel, 56, was also found dead on her bed with no visible injuries.

The daughter told the police that the mother, who was suffering from high blood pressure,  retired to bed at 9 pm and at around 2 am, she realised that she was unresponsive.