By Martin Mutua

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Cabinet Minister Naomi Shaban and two assistant ministers escaped death narrowly when a military helicopter they were travelling in developed mechanical problems.

The VP and his entourage were headed to the Kenya-Uganda border to distribute 700 bags of maize and other foodstuff on behalf of the Government to victims of the recent mudslide that killed close to 300 Ugandans.

The sources told The Standard the Ugandan Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi, who was waiting for Kalonzo and his entourage, left after he spoke to the VP on telephone. Kalonzo informed him about the mechanical problem.

However, as Prof Nsibambi flew to Kampala his helicopter also developed a mechanical problem and was forced to crash-land at Bukiri.

"The PM sustained bruises while the pilot was seriously injured when the helicopter crash-landed. They were taken to hospital," added the sources from Kampala.

Moi’s help

According to the source the military helicopter carrying the VP developed hydraulic problems at Nakuru and the pilot was forced to land at the Kabarak airstrip.

Former President Moi hosted Kalonzo and his delegation at his home for more than an hour after the incident.

Kalonzo had to call off the trip after the scary incident.

Another helicopter was called from Nairobi but by the time it arrived it was too late since Kalonzo had spoken to the Ugandan PM to inform him Western PC would deliver the foodstuffs at the border.

Defence Assistant Minister David Musila and Special Programmes Assistant Minister Mohammed Mahamoud and other Government officials were in the VP’s entourage.