From left are Hon. Samuel Poghisho, William Ruto and Fred Kapondi at Kibuk Girls High School. photo: Protus Simiyu

Leaders across the country continue to mourn the tragic deaths of the internal security minister Prof. Geoge Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode who perished on Sunday morning involving a helicopter crush at Kibiku area in Ngong forest.

Speaking in Kibuk Girls High School in Mt. Elgon District during the launch of the Sabaoti Bible, Hon. Samuel Poghisho, hon. William Ruto, and three other Mps said they were shocked by the untimely deaths of the government officials and other five Kenyans.

Information minister John Samuel Poghisho said two have died at a time when the country needed them most to curb security threat from the Al Shabaab militia in Somalia.

Mr. Poghisho said Kenya has lost two gallant sons who were determined to serve Kenyans and ensure they are secure from any form of security threat.

“I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the families, constituents, President Mwai Kibaki and Kenyans at large for the loss of this two patriotic Kenyans’’, Poghisho said.

The URP party leader and presidential aspirant, who is also the Eldoret North legislator William Ruto said he is in solidarity with Kenyans mourning the deaths of the cabinet ministers and other members of the crew who perished.

Ruto suspended all his political rallies to join other Kenyans in mourning the two fallen heroes who perished in the ill fated police helicopter accident.

Ruto appealed to religious leaders to pray for the country saying it was a coincidence that Prof George Saitoti and Orwa Ojode passed on the same day the country was marking four years since Cabinet Minister Kipkalia Kones and Mp Lonah Laboso perished in a plane in Narok.

The Mt. Elgon Mp Fred Kapondi said he almost collapsed when he received reports about the death of two whom he described as able and hardworking leaders who ensured the country was peaceful.

“Being the chairman of the parliamentary select on national security I have closely worked with the two and their contribution cannot be forgotten,’’ he said.

Legislators from Marakwet county Julius Kones and Linah Chebii Kilimo also expressed their sorrow while calling for prayers for the country.

Minister Poghisho urged political leaders in country to be on the forefront to unite communities to ensure the forth coming general elections are peaceful and avert similar skirmishes that happened in 2007/2008 as a result of the unprecedented presidential results.

He said the people of Mt. Elgon have suffered for long owing to inter-clan conflicts insisting that political leaders in the country have an obligation to ensure peace is sustained to spur development.

“The issues of insecurity in now a tale of the past saying investors have no reason not to invest in Mt. Elgon region,’’ Poghisho said.

On his part, William Ruto said Mt. Elgon now with a bible they can read and understand in their own mother tongue, disclosed that they continue to use the word of God to foster and sustain the available peace. 

Elsewhere in Teso district, residents have expressed deep concern over the sudden and untimely deaths of the internal security minister professor George Saitoti, his assist Minister Orwa Ojode and four other members who were on the crew.

Saitoti the longest serving Vice president in Republic of Kenya will be remembered by Teso and Malaba border residents for his visit at the border in company of four other cabinet ministers who were sent by President Mwai Kibaki to give along lasting solution to the problem of jam and delay clearance of trucks at the border.

George Saitoti has left behind unbreakable tangible record for being a minister who has served in various ministries for instance, Ministry foreign affairs, Finance, Education, Internal Security and provincial administration and the post of a Vice President.

Among the residents who spoke to West FM speaking of good deeds done by the late Saitoti was Mrs. Irene Nyaboke whom Saitoti compensated her with three goats after she lost her goats during the tour of Saitoti at Malaba Primary School where the goats that were grazing got frightened when the chopper he was using descended on the ground making the goats to disappear fearing the sound of the chopper.

Irene Nyaboke lamented over the loss following the visit and heaped blames on Saitoti whom she said had made her lose the only source of livelihood she had. The incident was aired and Saitoti himself took an initiative of visiting Malaba again purposely to compensate Mrs. Nyaboke with her goats.

The move was echoed by Teso residents who congratulated Saitoti  for being concerned with the woman’s pleas and for keeping his words .Saitoti had promised to visit Teso again to roll out his Presidential campaign and so unfortunate that death has taken short his ambitions to lead Kenyans as President.