The Kenyan nation is in mourning following the tragic death of retired Colonel James Gitahi Nguyo, a celebrated presidential pilot. Gitahi died on Wednesday, March 5, in a head-on collision at Kyumvi Junction on the Mombasa Highway. He was the husband of nominated Senator Betty Batuli Montet.

According to reports, Gitahi's vehicle collided with an oncoming lorry and burst into flames. Gitahi was reportedly trying to overtake a lorry when he misjudged the distance of an oncoming truck. Emergency responders arrived to find Gitahi had already died in the fire. The lorry driver sustained a fractured left foot and was rushed to the hospital.

Gitahi served as a presidential pilot from 1992 to 2010, flying both President Daniel arap Moi and President Mwai Kibaki. He succeeded retired Colonel Hussein Farrah, who had served Moi since 1984. Gitahi described his career as highly fulfilling and was the first Kenyan pilot to fly the Fokker 70 Extended Range presidential aircraft. After retiring from the military, Gitahi continued to operate commercial fixed-wing aircraft at Wilson Airport.

Friends and colleagues have expressed their grief and condolences. Lawyer Collisn Wanderi described Gitahi as a kind and ever-happy soul, while others recalled his fatherly advice and soft-spoken nature. Kenyans have shared their condolences online, remembering Gitahi's service to the nation.

In other news, the late former IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati will be laid to rest on Saturday, March 8, at his Kitale home. His wife, Mary Wanyonyi, revealed that the family was promised a state funeral. Chebukati's body was taken from Nairobi to Kitale, where villagers gathered at his father's homestead. His wife asked mourners to pray for her father-in-law, who is sick.

During Chebukati's memorial mass, his wife revealed that the government had assured her of a state funeral. She also mentioned that her husband would be taken to his father's house before his final resting place. Mary disclosed that her husband had been given six months to live. His daughter shared that one of their regrets was that their dad did not get to see his grandchildren.