by Christine Lagat

NAIROBI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police have swiftly launched investigations in connection to the death of Venezuelan top diplomat who was found strangled in her house in Nairobi on Friday.

Regional police commander Anthony Kibuchi told Xinhua that they suspected that Olga Fonseca Jimenez who was the acting ambassador at the embassy in Nairobi was murdered but did not give further details, saying ongoing investigations will reveal the motive behind her death.

"We have launched investigations to establish the cause of the diplomat's death. We are questioning some of the domestic workers at her house and would let you know the full details after the investigations," Kibuchi said.

He said investigators have also picked up two employees from the embassy for questioning in connection with the death of the 57- year-old Jimenez whose death came barely a week after she had sacked some staff for filing sexual harassment complaint with the police.

"Police can confirm that the diplomat was strangled to death this morning and we have launched investigations to establish circumstances leading to her death," Kibuchi had said earlier in the day.

Jimenez was appointed to act as ambassador after Silva who was implicated in a sexual harassment claims left the east African nation two months ago.

The staff at the embassy had formally filed complaint with the police alleging sexual harassment by Silva, the allegations which forced him out of the country.

The employees were sacked last week for reportedly refusing to retract their accusations of sexual impropriety against the ambassador.

Kenya's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement issued on Friday evening that it was shocked to receive the death of Jimenez earlier in the day.

"The ministry said Jimenez was found dead at 10:30 a.m. local time (0730GMT) at the official residence of the Ambassador of Venezuela where she was residing. Her death was reported to the Diplomatic Police by the Venezuelan Embassy," it said.

The statement said the authorities are currently carrying out investigations and warned they will spare no efforts to establish the cause of the death.

"The ministry wishes to assure the Venezuelan Embassy and the entire diplomatic community of their security and appeals for calm as the diplomatic police carry out the investigations," the statement said.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveys sincere condolences to the Venezuelan Embassy and the entire Venezuelan Community in Kenya," said the statement.