Kenya Air Force Officer Dies In Road Accident

The Kenya Air Force has been hit with more devastating news regarding the death of one of its officers in a road accident in Bondo, Siaya County.

The officer identified as Paytone Mitch Opiyo was reported to have died in the accident around the Nyamonye area along Bondo-Usenge road on Sunday night, April 21.

The deceased was travelling alongside a motorcyclist when they both died following a head-on collision involving two motorcycles.

According to Siaya County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo who confirmed the accident to the press, the Air Force officer was riding a motorcycle while carrying his brother.

Road safety compliance checks within Kisii town. /NTSA

They were heading towards Bondo from Usenge and on reaching the location of the accident, the duo collided head-on with an oncoming motorcycle.

He stated that the officer and the other rider died on the spot.          

The County police boss said that Mitch Opiyo’s brother and a pillion passenger who was carried by the other rider sustained multiple leg fractures.

The accident occurred in the same county where the late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla was laid to rest in Ng'iya on Sunday.

The KDF boss alongside nine others was killed in a chopper crash which occurred shortly after a working tour he had taken in the Rift Valley region on Thursday, April 18.

"Today at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident at Sindar area, Kaben location, Tot division, in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.

"Together with him in the crash were eleven other gallant military personnel, 9 who also passed on and two survivors," President William Ruto announced in a sombre address to the nation later that evening.

He added that the CDF, onboard the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter, had left Nairobi on Thursday morning, to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to inspect the ongoing school renovations works on five schools.

As part of his working tour, the CDF before the accident had been briefed on the security situation by a multi-agency team stationed at Chesitet in Baringo County, after which he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County, where he addressed troops, commending them for their resilience and operational successes.

Speaking at General Ogolla's burial, President Ruto promised to ensure conclusive investigations into the helicopter crash are carried out and the report made public.