Fearless Leader- Ruto Mourns Iranian President Raisi After Death In Chopper Crash

President William Ruto has joined world leaders in mourning the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi was on Monday morning, May 20 confirmed dead alongside his Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather.

The accident occurred on Sunday, May 19 in Northern Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Nine people were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.

In a statement on his social media handles, Ruto termed the late Raisi a fearless leader and dedicated public servant, lauding his commitment to public service.

Read his entire condolence message below:

In light of the tragic news of the passing of H.E. Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Foreign Minister, H.E. Hossein Abdollahian and his entourage of senior officials through a helicopter crash, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the people of Iran at this challenging time. 

President Raisi was a fearless leader and a dedicated public servant with a long and distinguished career in public service. He was a firm leader committed to the causes that he believed in and sought to elevate Iran’s standing on the global stage. 

Kenya and the Republic of Iran share cordial relations signified by the fact that in his first-ever trip to the African Continent as President, H.E. Ebrahim Raisi chose Kenya as his first destination. As we condole with the people of Iran, we commend Allah's mercy and comfort to the people of Iran.

Right after the Kenyan Head of State shared his condolence message, the Embassy of Iran in Kenya responded by appreciating Ruto.

"The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran appreciates H.E Dr. William Ruto the Honorable President of the Republic of Kenya for their kind message, and looks forward to enhancing the relations between our two brother nations," read the response.

Reuters had quoted an Iranian official who confirmed Raisi's demise as well as the foreign minister and all other passengers in the helicopter after search teams located the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province.

Iran's Mehr news agency confirmed the deaths, reporting that "all passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred".

An Iranian official earlier told Reuters the helicopter carrying Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian was completely burned in the crash on Sunday.

State TV reported that images from the site showed the aircraft slammed into a mountain peak, although there was no official word on the cause of the crash.

Raisi, 63, was elected president in 2021, and since taking office has ordered a tightening of morality laws, overseen a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests and pushed hard in nuclear talks with world powers.

That Raisi Meeting With Ruto

On Wednesday, July 12, President Ruto announced that Kenya would exploit the strong ties it enjoys with Iran to expand trade, following his meeting with Raisi at State House, Nairobi.

He explained that Kenya and Iran will strike a formula that will facilitate higher exports of tea, coffee and meat, adding “This will bring about the much-desired trade balance that is in favour of Iran.”

President Ruto observed that Kenya will also use the West Asian country’s wealth in technology and innovation for its development.

He pointed out that the setting up of the Iran House of Innovation and Technology in Nairobi will offer the right platform for Iranian and Kenyan businesses.

President Ruto with Iran President Ebrahim Raisi at State House on July 12, 2023. /PCS