Kibaki leads nation in mourning after crash
President Kibaki led a high-powered government team in condoling the families of Internal Security minister George Saitoti and his assistant, Mr Orwa Ojodeh.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, deputy PMs Musalia Mudavadi and Uhuru Kenyatta, Speaker Kenneth Marende, Cabinet ministers Kiraitu Murungi, Yusuf Haji and Eugene Wamalwa, Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua and assistant minister Peter Kenneth also sent their condolences as the country woke up to the shocking news.
Cabinet minister William ole Ntimama, MPs Charles Keter and John Mututho, Central Organisation of Trade Unions’ boss Francis Atwoli and the National Council of Churches of Kenya secretary general Canon Peter Karanja also sent their condolences.
In his message to media houses, President Kibaki described the death of Prof Saitoti and Mr Ojodeh — both who were in his office — as a “devastating loss.”
“It is with great sadness that this morning I learnt of the tragic deaths of the minister for Internal Security and Provincial Administration, Prof George Saitoti and the assistant minister in the ministry Orwa Ojodeh, their bodyguards and the pilot and co-pilot of the police helicopter that they were travelling in.
“The deaths of the six Kenyans is a devastating loss to our country,” he said in the statement.
He described Prof Saitoti as a hard working minister, dedicated to the service of the country, citing his speech on police reforms in Mombasa on Friday, during the peace conference, as an example.
About Mr Ojodeh, the President said Kenya had lost an assistant minister who carried out his duties with determination.
He said his prayers were with the families of pilots Luke Oyugi and Nancy Gituanja and Inspector Joshua Tonkei and Sergeant Thomas Murimi who had accompanied the ministers on the ill-fated flight.
Cancelled rallies
Mr Odinga, who cancelled his rallies in Nakuru and Bomet and rushed to the scene, described the plane crash as a “great tragedy”.
“It is a particularly poignant and a bad coincidence that the death of Prof Saitoti and Mr Ojodeh have occurred on the fourth anniversary of the death of minister Kipkalia Kones and the MP for Sotik Lorna Laboso, who also perished in a plane crash in the same area,” he said.
Mr Musyoka, who was first at the scene said: “With a heavy heart and sadness, I send my condolences to the families of those involved in the crash. It is very sad indeed.”
Mr Mudavadi, who also cancelled his tour in North Rift, described the crash as “horrendous and shocking”. Mr Kenyatta, in his condolences on twitter, said, “The passing on of Prof Saitoti and Mr Ojodeh is a great loss to Kenya.”
Mr Haji described the two as “humble, dedicated Kenyans who believed in the unity of our beloved country”. Ms Karua also sent her message of condolences through twitter.
“On my own behalf and that of MPs and staff, I condole with their respective families, friends, and all Kenyans during this trying time,” Mr Marende said.
