Police are investigating the death of a BBC staff member in Nairobi

Police have launched an investigation after a BBC staff member was found dead in Nairobi.

Kate Mitchell, a British citizen who worked with BBC Media Action in several African countries, died on Friday.

However, it was not immediately clear if Mitchell's death, which occurred at a hotel in Nairobi, was linked to his work with the BBC.

With the source of his death remaining a mystery, police said they considered Mitchell's death a murder case.

"The suspect is said to have fled from the eighth floor when he felt he was being chased by the hotel's security guards," said Nairobi police commander Augustine Nthumbi.

"We are shocked by the sad and disappointing news," BBC Media Action chief executive Caroline Nursey said in a statement.

"Kate, who was the project manager, was very popular with her colleagues, and served with the organization for 14 years. She was well known in our organization, especially in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Zambia and London," said Nursey.

"We send our condolences to his family and friends around the world," lamented the chief executive officer.