Kenyan helicopter crash kills 6
June 10, 2012
Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and his deputy are among the two who died Sunday as their helicopter crashed in Kibuku forest outside the capital, Nairobi. The other casualties were his deputy, Joshua Orwa Ojode, their two bodyguards and the helicopter's two pilots.
Saitoti, 66, was closely involved in the fight against the Somali al Qaeda-linked group al Shabaab. He was also a prospective candidate in the presidential elections next March.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the government would ensure a "thorough probe" into the cause of the crash.
"This is a terrible tragedy that has struck our country this morning. Nobody knows exactly the cause of this accident. That is why experts will carry out investigations," Odinga told reporters at the scene of the crash.
"We will do everything possible to ensure we find out the cause of this accident, but for now it is just an accident."
Saitoti was on his on his way to attend a religious ceremony in western Kenya when the helicopter crashed.
Witnesses said they saw it swaying wildly in the air at about 8:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) in foggy weather.
sb/jlw (Reuters, AFP)