Family mourns 29-year-old pilot of ill-fated military helicopter

The pilot of the ill-fated military helicopter that crashed along with the Chief of Defense Forces, General Francis Ogolla, and nine other officers also died in the tragic crash.

Twenty-nine-year-old Major George Benson Magondu’s life was tragically cut short when the helicopter he was flying crashed on April 18, 2024 in Chesegon, along the Elgeyo Marakwet-West Pokot border.

Magondu, a pilot whose skill and expertise had seen him rise to the rank of Major, had been tasked with controlling not only the Chief of Defense Forces, General Francis Ogolla, but also senior government officials.

The fate of the young major was tragically sealed by the events of the fateful day when the military helicopter Bell UH-1H Huey II, which he was flying, crashed in a tragic crash.

His family shockingly learned of the news of the accident that occurred in the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet County through his wife, who is a captain in the army.

“We couldn’t understand how… I told her we had to wait and call their office. She tried to call the communications center but was told the plane had crashed in Baringo. We were told he had a deep cut and was airlifted to hospital but he didn’t make it,” said Mary Wambui, Magondu’s mother.

Major Magondu, husband, father of three, son and friend to many, is said to have been selfless and a family pillar.

“The gap is there because George at 29 was a family man, he behaved like a 40-year-old father. He loved the family, the children and the wife. He could sacrifice all his time and money,” says his mother.

“Watoto wanauliza mama yao tunataka papa. Mtoto wangu akiskia hivyo anatokwa na machozi hata hajui aseme nini,” added his mother-in-law Maureen Akinyi.

The family of the late Major Magondu describes him as a visionary young man. He is remembered as a student at Moi Forces Academy, where he attended primary and secondary school.

His journey in the military began when he signed up for cadet training.

“He followed the training for three years, including military studies at KU, and he passed well. Then they graduated from Lanet and after graduation he was transferred to Nanyuki Air Base,” his mother said.

The late Magondu rose to the rank of major but still had high ambitions.

Wambui added: “He rose from that rank. After training he rose to captain and now, at the age of 29, he is a major. He always said he would be the head of the armed forces.”

He will be buried in Karimeno, Laikipia County.

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