Sh8 million raised for crash officers’ families

By Cyrus Ombati

The police and Provincial Administration have raised over Sh8 million to aid families of the four police officers who perished in the Ngong Forest plane crash.

The four are pilots, superintendents Luke Oyugi and Nancy Gituanja, and bodyguards, Inspector of Police Joshua Tonkei and Sergeant Thomas Murimi.

The money was raised during a fundraising event held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre attended by top police officers led by Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere.

Ms Gituanja and Murimi will be buried on Tuesday in Kandara, Murang’a and Kehancha in Kuria while Tonkei will be buried on Wednesday in his Narok home. Oyugi will be buried in Siaya on Thursday.

Mr Iteere announced an interdenominational requiem Mass is planned for today before the families proceed with the burials.

Several officers eulogised the deceased officers, describing them as hardworking and dedicated.

Pledge

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, ministers Amos Kimunya and Chris Obure and Iteere who had led delegations to their homes pledged to ensure their children complete their education.

“We have come here to mourn with you and assure you that the Government and the people of Kenya are with you during this difficult moment,” Kalonzo said.

He added: “On behalf of the President, the Prime Minister and on my own behalf, I want to assure you that the Government will do everything possible to ensure that all your children will be supported to complete their education.”

The deceased officers left behind young families.

Coincidentally, Tonkei and Murimi lived in the presidential escort unit flats while Gituanja and Oyugi lived at Westpark near Wilson Airport.

Death

Mr Tonkei had apparently told his family that he does not fear death, and the feeling that death was staring always stirred him anytime he boarded a plane.

He spent early years in the police force with the Presidential Escort Unit. He is survived by a wife and four children.

Tonkei, who has been described as a man with a big heart, had also adopted three of his relatives’ children after their parents passed away.

Mr Murimi is survived by two sons, Nicholas Chacha and Nicholas Nkoya. Gituanja had three children.

A team headed by Justice Kalpana Rawal, Kenya Air Force Commander Maj Gen Harold Tangai, George McOwenga, Charles Mutinda and Faith Irari of the Attorney General’s office is yet to start the public inquest into the crash.

Business
Premium Financial hardships dampen Easter celebrations among Kenyans
Business
Premium Looming crisis as top lenders stare at Sh500b in bad loans
Business
Premium Water PS Korir put on the spot over Sh14m dam land
Business
Premium Ruto's food security hopes facing storm amid fake fertiliser scam