Written by Carolyn Wamalwa and Leonard Wamalwa 2012-06-10 11:00:00 Read 7585 Times

Internal Security Minister Prof. george Saitoti and his assistant Joshua Orwa Ojode, together with the inspector Tongei, pilots Nancy Gituanja and Luke oyugi who perished in the Chopper crush incident at Kibiku Forest in Ngong. [ Photo | West Fm | obed Muindi]

Pilots of the helicopter were identified as: Nancy Gituanja and Luke Oyugi, body guards were Inspector Tongei and Thomas Murimi.

Internal security minister professor George Saitoti, his assistant minister Orwa Ojode are dead after a plane crashes in Kibiku Forest Ngong’ area.

Police at the scene confirm that all the occupants in the ill fated plane have burnt beyond recognition in the Sunday morning mishap.

Pilots of the helicopter were identified as: Nancy Gituanja and Luke Oyugi, body guards were Inspector Tongei and Thomas Murimi.

The late are said were headed to Homabay for an unofficial function.

The 9 AM accident occurred at Kibiku Forest on the outskirts of Nairobi City.

Police sources are yet to reveal the cause of the crush. 

The remains of the deceased have been taken to the Lee Funeral Home. 

The AS350 B3e chopper model that crushed killing the government officials and five others. [Photo | Isura Christopher] Below The chopper that was used before the crush killing all the 7 on board.

President Leads the nation to condole the bereaved

Various leaders across the nation led by President Mwai kibaki have sent sent their condolences to the bereaved families.  

The Head of State described the incident as “The death of the six Kenyans is a devastating loss to our country.”

President Kibaki said the Internal Security minister leaves behind a rich legacy of service to the country.

“Saitoti will forever be remembered as hard working and determined public servant who dedicated his time to the service of Kenyan people.”

He further said, Orwa Ojode who served as the assistant internal Security minister as one who “will be remembered for his focused approach while undertaking his duties with great zeal and determination.”

“At this moment of great national grief my prayers are with the families of those who perished,” said the Head of State.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga cancelled his rally in Nakuru. Other are Raphael Tuju, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

The PM said Kenya has lost two very hard working servants who were dedicated to duty and serving Kenyans.

News of the death reached the PM as he flew to Kampi ya Moto Sunday morning.

The PM said Kenya has lost two very hard working servants who were dedicated to duty and serving Kenyans.

The PM said Saitoti and Ojode were determined to leave a mark in their docket at a very critical time and the country will miss them dearly. 

Noting the performance of the two ministers was outstanding, Mr. Odinga recalled his last moments with Prof. Saitoti and Mr. Ojode at the peace conference in Mombasa on Friday where the Minister spoke very passionately about the measures his ministry had put in place to ensure the forthcoming general election was peaceful.

Mr. Odinga said it was a particularly poignant and a bad coincidence that the death of Prof. Saitoti and Mr. Ojode have occurred on the fourth anniversary of the death of the late Minister Kipkalia Kones and the late MP for Sotik Lorna Laboso who also perished in plane crash in the same area. 

Some of the body remains from the 7 people who perished in the ill fated chopper. [ Photo | Isura Christopher]

Musalia cancelled his planned political campaign engagements that would have seen him address supporters at Ziwa, Chepkoilel, Iten, Tabach, Kabarnet and Mogotio. 

The DPM addressed journalists in Kitale where his rallies were to start saying that he could not go on with his remaining rallies for this weekend as the situation had forced him to travel immediately to Nairobi.

"After receiving the news about the death of our colleagues in the tragic plane crash in Ngong, I cannot go on with my rallies and thus I want to announce to people of this region that all my plans for today have been cancelled and we shall reschedule later," Mudavadi said in a somber mood.

The Sabatia MP who was accompanied by former trade and industry minister Dr Mukhisa Kituyi send his condolences to the families of the two ministers and the other people who perished in the morning crash.

"I would like to pass my sincere condolences to the families and friends of my fellow ministers George Saitoti and Orwa Ojode and other people who perished in the crash," He said.

The minister who was on his routine campaign trail to popularize his presidential ambitions and his new UDF party in the region termed the two ministers as hardworking leaders who were devoted in serving this nation and thus their demise is a big blow to the country.

He immediately left for Nairobi with his team to join the other leaders in mourning the dead at the scene of the incident in Ngong forest.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said he received the news of the demise of Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti, Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, their bodyguards and pilots “with deep shock and disbelief.”

He described Prof Saitoti and Hon Ojode as “hardworking colleagues in government. In their dedication to duty, the two put country before self and were an exceptional example of cooperation between a Minister and his Assistant despite being from different sides of the coalition. Their passing is a great loss to the people of Kenya.” 

Investigators at the scene of the plane crush going through the charred remains. [Photo | Isura Christopher]

The Gichungu Mp Martha Karua who through her social media she said, “I join other Kenyans in mourning my colleagues Hon. George Saitoti, Hon. Orwa Ojode and five others who have passed on in a helicopter accident. My condolences and prayers to their families and friends.”

William Ruto, the Eldoret North MP said, “Kenyans it is with great sorrow that this morning George Saitoti, Ojode n another four perished in a chopper crash. My very deep sympathy to them and  their families.” 

Planning Assistant minister Peter Kenneth said, “I'm shocked and saddened by the deaths of my colleagues Prof Saitoti  and Orwa Ojode. I offer my condolences to the families of the departed.” 

British Government condoles Kenya 

Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed his condolences at the death of two Kenyan ministers Sunday morning.

"I was extremely saddened to learn of the death of Kenya's Minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Professor George Saitoti, along with his Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode and other Kenyans travelling with them this morning.

"On behalf of the British Government, I wish to extend my deepest condolences. My thoughts are with their families and friends, and the people of Kenya, as they come to terms with this tragedy". 

AU Panel of Eminent African Personalities sends condolences 

The African Union Panel of Eminent African Personalities (PEAP) led by its Chairman Dr. Koffi Annan said, “On behalf of Panel of Eminent African Personalities, I wish to express deepest condolences to bereaved families, Government and People of Kenya.”

He said the Late Prof. George Saitoti was a “dedicated public servant, demise at such a time in Kenya’s political history’s great loss to nation.”

He said the panel was “shocked and saddened to hear of this Sunday morning’s helicopter crash which claimed lives of Prof. Saitoti, Ojode and five others.”

The country was the same day, four years ago thrown into mourning following the death of Minister Kipkalya Kones and Assistant Minister Lorna Laboso in a similiar plane crash.

Saitoti, an American-trained Economist and Mathematician, was one of the most visible figures in Kenyan politics and had been planning to run for the presidency later this year.

Former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali, former Rift Valley PC Hassan Noor Hassan and Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode walking away from the wreckage of the plane that crashed while they were in. They were with journalists. [PHOTO|Abeingo]

Ojode in May 11th in 2009 survived a police chopper crash with the then Police Commissioner Hussein Ali, RiftValley PC Hassan Noor and several journalists. 

The Nairobi Central Business Central District Association- NCBDA chairman and governing council through their Chaiman Timothy Muriuki described the duo as, “True patriots and close associates of NCBDA. We worked closely and they ensured modern security measures in the CBD,we have lost true friends,” says Muriuki. 

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