- Brigadier (Retired) Emiliano Tanui assured politicians that the Nandi helicopter crash was an isolated accident and not an indication of the pilot’s ability
- He urged leaders not to be afraid to fly during the upcoming elections in 2027, stressing the safety of aviation and the profession of pilots
- Tanui served in the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) alongside the late Lieutenant Colonel George Were, who died in a helicopter crash on February 28 in Nandi County
An experienced pilot has taken action to allay the concerns that politicians may have after the fatal helicopter crash that killed Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament, Johana Ngeno and five others.
Source: Twitter
Retired Lieutenant Colonel George Were was at the controls of a Eurocopter 350 (5Y-DSB) when it crashed in a forest in Nandi County on February 28, killing all on board.
During Were’s farewell party there Poisonous On Saturday, March 14, Brigadier (Retired) Emiliano Tanui said that the Nandi accident was no different from other accidents and should not be seen as an example of the pilots’ ability.
Why the former KDF pilot assured Kenyan politicians
Tanui observed that the political class may have been confused by the accident, but he assured them that both the air and the plane remained safe for their journey.
With the country expected to enter a busy political season in 2027, the experienced official stressed that leaders can rely on their safety and well-being as they carry out their duties.
“We are heading into the election period, and the politics will get worse. Don’t be afraid to fly. Be brave. All the pilots here are fully trained, so there is no reason to be afraid,” Tanui said.
Were had the reputation of transporting prominent politicians, among them the late Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua.
Source: Facebook
How Martha Karua praised George Were
Karua, in turn, recently paid a touching tribute to Were, recalling his close working relationship with him during the 2022 general election campaign.
“I have to talk about George Were, the pilot of the helicopter, and someone I knew personally. George was my assigned pilot in the 2022 Declaration presidential campaign. He transported me across the country through long days, difficult terrain, and difficult schedules,” he recounted.
Karua continued to highlight his character, recalling his professionalism, perseverance, and cheerfulness during difficult times.
“George was patient. He had a good sense of humor and always tried to make everyone feel comfortable, regardless of the situation, and he often offered words of encouragement. In the toughest days of the campaign, those words meant more than he could have realized,” he reflected.
He offered his condolences to the Were family, stressing that his kindness and presence left a lasting mark on all who knew him.
How George Were’s widow learned of his death
On February 28, Emily Were faced the tragic loss of her husband Were, who was piloting a Eurocopter 350 that crashed in Nandi County, killing all six on board.
Speaking at his funeral in Nyakach, he recalled the pain of getting the news for the first time through social media and his unsuccessful attempts to reach his employer, which increased his fear.
He immediately contacted his children to prepare them before the news spread online, later received official confirmation from Company Helicopters, and noted that President William Ruto and Deputy Kithur Kindiki they helped arrange flights for her children to return home amid tensions in the Middle East.
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