A helicopter plunged in the outskirts of Nairobi on Sunday, killing
the Kenyan internal security minister -- a man who once served
as vice president and was a presidential contender in an upcoming
election.
Security minister George Saitoti was one of the most visible
figures in the nation's politics.
The crash killed five others -- his deputy Orwa Ojode, two pilots
and two bodyguards, President Mwai Kibaki said.
"The deaths of the six Kenyans is a devastating loss to our
country," the president said in a statement. "Minister Saitoti will
forever be remembered as a hardworking and determined public
servant who dedicated his time to the service of the Kenyan
people."
Saitoti was an American-trained economist and mathematician.
As security minister, he was among key officials who oversaw
the incursion of Kenyan forces into neighboring Somalia last year
to battle the terror group, Al-Shabaab.
"It's a sad day for Kenya," said Najib Balala, a former minister,
who blamed the crash on old helicopters used by government
officials. "We could have avoided this accident with better
equipment."
Saitoti has also served in various other positions, including
minister of education.
The crash occurred in the Ngong Hills on the outskirts of Nairobi.

SOURCE=>m.cnn.com/primary/cnnd_fullarticle?articleId=urn:newsml:CNN.com:20120610:kenya-minister-killed:1&branding=&pagesize=10&category=cnnd_latest