Security chief dies in Kenya air crash
Minister George Saitoti and his assistant were among those killed, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said. The victims’ charred remains were scattered in a forest.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga said at the crash scene the death of Mr Saitoti was a “great tragedy that has befallen our country at this time as we are making elaborate preparations to hold peaceful elections”.
It was not immediately clear what caused the accident.
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Hide AdMr Saitoti, an American-trained economist and mathematician, was one of the most visible figures in Kenyan politics. For more than a decade he was a deputy to former president Daniel arap Moi.
He appeared often on television to reassure the public in the aftermath of deadly attacks blamed on the Somali militant group al-Shabab. He played a key role in the decision to send troops into Somalia last year.
Mr Saitoti said he would seek the presidency in 2013.