Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

Former presidential pilot James Gitahi Nguyo has died in a road accident at Kyumvi Junction on Mombasa Highway.

The retired colonel's vehicle reportedly collided head-on with an oncoming lorry before bursting into flames with him inside.

According to Citizen TV, Gitahi, who was alone in the car, was reportedly trying to overtake a lorry but misjudged the distance of an oncoming truck, leading to a fatal collision.

Gitahi, the husband of nominated Senator Betty Batuli Montet, was killed in the crash on Wednesday, March 5, at about 5:30 p.m.

By the time emergency responders arrived at the accident scene after the alarm was raised, it was too late; Gitahi had already been burned.

The driver of the lorry sustained a fractured left foot from the collision impact and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Gitahi, a former Kenya Air Force pilot, flew Kenya’s second president, Daniel arap Moi, and third president, Mwai Kibaki.

Gitahi served as a presidential pilot from 1992 to 2010, flying both the country’s second and third presidents.

Gitahi began serving the presidency in 1992, succeeding retired Colonel Hussein Farrah, who had served Moi since 1984.

In a previous interview, Gitahi described his career as highly fulfilling, noting that he was the first Kenyan pilot to fly the Fokker 70 Extended Range presidential aircraft.

After retiring as a military pilot, Gitahi continued to operate commercial fixed-wing aircraft at Wilson Airport.

Source: TUKO.co.ke