Days after British golfer John Middleton was found brutally murdered at his Utange home in Mombasa, tributes have started to trickle in.
His death remains a puzzle with many wondering who could have murdered the foreigner even as the UK Embassy in Nairobi says it is currently looking into the matter.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also responded to his death affirming their support to the family and confirming that they are in contact with Kenyan authorities.
North Norfolk News, a British news outlet, has reported that Middleton was killed after allegedly attempting to give away 'all his property' to a local lawyer he had befriended - telling her that he had no family. However, the barrister had told him to give the money to charity instead.
According to Kisauni Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Jamleck Mbuba, Middleton's body was found in a bathtub on Saturday morning after his housekeeper raised an alarm after he did not answer his doorbell.
Before his death, Mr Middleton had reported that someone had tried to poison his dog. Days later, the DCC revealed that a machete believed to be used to kill him was found next to his lifeless body. Reportedly, nothing was stolen from the scene.
Middleton who moved to Kenya in 2014 was described by his Kenyan friends as "a wonderful guy". He was an avid golfer and played at the nearby Nyali Golf and Country Club.
"He was very polite, he would stick to his principles, and was very helpful. I am totally shocked. It is beyond belief." Susan, Middleton's friend since 2015 told BBC.
It is reported that the area where Middleton stayed was not very safe. According to Susan, it was not a location where many expatriates lived.
Susan told the International media house that Middleton's ex-wife, Regina, had also been killed during a break-in in 2018 at her home some 20km North of Utange.
Before moving to Kenya, Mr. Middleton was well known in Norfolk as a referee on a grassroots level. He had officiated 857 games, handing out 622 yellow cards and 127 red cards.
Mourning him, Norfolk described Middleton as a committed and well-liked match official.
Kelvin Gitau, Middleton's stepson from his second marriage, paid tribute to the Briton in a social media post, decrying that his heart was broken by what happened.
"My heart is truly broken beyond belief at how cruelly John has been taken from our lives and I'm still trying to process it all." read part of Gitau's post.
