Kenya declares three days of mourning

KBC
Monday, June 11, 2012

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President Mwai Kibaki has declared three days of national mourning starting Monday following the tragic death of Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode on Sunday morning in a helicopter crash.

The two ministers were heading to Orwa Ojode's Ndhiwa Constituency in Homabay County for a fundraising when their chopper crashed Sunday morning in Kibiku area in Ngong forest.

Other who perished in the crash include two bodyguards and two pilots.

The President in a statement said the national flag will fly at half-mast during the three days.

Meanwhile, President Kibaki has sent a message of condolence to the families, friends and relatives of the two ministers , their body guards and the pilots.

In his message, President Kibaki termed the death of the six Kenyans as a devastating loss to the country.

The President said, "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 Hon. Orwa Ojode, their body guards 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."

On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, the Head of State eulogized Prof. Saitoti as a hardworking and determined public servant who dedicated his time to the service of the Kenyan people.

The President recounted how just last Friday at the Conference on Peace in Mombasa, Hon. Saitoti spoke eloquently and passionately about the many police reforms that his ministry was undertaking affirming that he leaves behind a rich legacy of service to the country.

With regard to Hon Ojode, President Kibaki noted that the assistant minister will be remembered for his focused approach as well the great zeal and determination with which he undertook his duties as an Assistant
Minister and the Member of Parliament for Ndhiwa Constituency.

Said, the President, "At this moment of great national grief my prayers are with the families of those who perished."

The Head of State also eulogized the death of the late ministers' bodyguards inspector Joshua Tonkei and Sergeant Thomas Murimi as well as pilots, Luke Oyugi and Nancy Gituanja.

The President noted, "The four were hard working and committed officers of the Kenya Police Force."

President Kibaki prayed that the Almighty God rests the souls of the six Kenyans in eternal peace.

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