Today in History: When Two Ministers Died in an Aircraft Crash Barely Three Months in Office

On Tuesday, June 10, 2008, a plane carrying Roads Minister Kipkalya Kones and Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Lorna Laboso crashed, resulting in the deaths of both government officials.

The crash occurred near the Enoosupukia Forest, close to Kanjong’a Village in Narok District.

Also on board were the pilot and a security guard, both of whom perished in the accident. At the time of the crash, Kipkalya Kones was serving as the Member of Parliament for Bomet Constituency, while Lorna Laboso represented Sotik Constituency. Both were elected under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.

The duo was flying in a light aircraft (a Cessna 210) from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Kericho to assist in ODM campaign preparations for a by-election.

They were traveling to support ODM candidate Benjamin Langat in the Ainamoi Constituency by-election, which was scheduled for June 11, 2008.

Their deaths came just months after the formation of a grand coalition government, in which Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki signed a peace agreement to establish a government of unity following post-election violence.

Lorna Laboso and Kipkalya Kones Die Following a Plane Crash

President Kibaki issued a statement confirming the incident and urged the nation to remain united in mourning the loss of both leaders.

 “The wreckage has been found, and there are no survivors. Our country has lost leaders of immense potential at their prime ages and with promising futures. Let us all remain united at this moment of sorrow as a nation,” Kibaki said.

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While addressing Members of Parliament a day after the accident, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, under whom Laboso served, praised her as a source of inspiration for his ministry.

“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Ministry, which has lost a brilliant Assistant Minister. The Hon. Lorna Laboso was an inspiration to all of us. Recently, she represented me at an international conference in South Africa dealing with prison services and performed outstandingly on behalf of our country. She had yet to present her findings to me because we were facing a prison crisis,” Kalonzo noted.

Kalonzo also remembered Kones as a fearless and trusted leader who firmly advocated for the needs of his constituents and the nation as a whole.

Political Leaders Convey Their Condolences

Prime Minister Raila Odinga described the loss of both leaders as a national tragedy.

“In times like these, it is crucial for our nation to stand together. Once again, disaster has struck our country so hard. Initially, when I learned of the incident, I thought I was dreaming! It took some time for the reality to sink in that the unexpected had occurred. At a time like this, emotions can run high, and people may jump to conclusions about the cause of the accident,” Odinga said.

Three months after the crash, in September 2008, investigators released their findings. They concluded that the crash was due to Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).

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This type of accident happens when a functioning aircraft is flown into the ground while the pilot is in control, often because of poor visibility.

The aircraft encountered dense fog and low visibility near Kojong’a Hills and the Narok escarpment.

Furthermore, it was established that the pilot, a German national, did not meet Kenya’s minimum flying experience or licensing standards, having been issued a Kenyan license without sufficient proof of competency.

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