George Were, a highly experienced 65-year-old retired military aviator and one of the most respected civilian helicopter pilots at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, lost his life on February 28, 2026, when the helicopter he was flying crashed and burst into flames in Mosop, Nandi County.
Background of George Were
George Were was born and brought up in Kabienge village in Nyakach, Kisumu County. He grew up in a military family. His father, the late Major Were Oyaro, was a respected officer in the Kenyan military, and this strongly influenced George’s decision to join the armed forces and become a pilot.
As the firstborn, George naturally took on a leadership role at home. He guided and supported his siblings and extended family, providing stability and encouragement throughout their lives.
The family spokesperson, Francis Were, described him as disciplined, devoted, caring, dependable, community-oriented, easy to befriend, and someone who avoided unnecessary conflicts while living a life centered on service and family.
Career
George began his career in the Kenya Air Force, where he rose through the ranks to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He served as a Captain in various aviation roles. His colleagues described him as an excellent military pilot, calm, highly skilled, and brave, saying he handled dangerous missions and tough situations with confidence and professionalism.
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After leaving the military, George moved to civilian flying and became known as one of the best and most trusted helicopter pilots at Wilson Airport in Nairobi. With more than 40 years of experience in flying and maintaining helicopters, he logged over 4,000 flight hours.
People knew him for his professionalism, discipline, patience, and sense of humor. He was warm, dependable, and handled long, tiring flights across Kenya’s tough terrain and unpredictable weather with great skill.
He also flew important missions, including serving as Martha Karua’s pilot during the 2022 Azimio la Umoja campaign, where he was praised for his commitment and calm nature.
In her heartfelt tribute following the crash, Martha Karua recalled how George flew her across the country through exhausting days and challenging routes, always offering encouraging words and a rare personal warmth that left a lasting impression on everyone he worked with.
“George was my assigned pilot during the 2022 Azimio presidential campaign. He flew me across this country through long days, difficult terrain, and demanding schedules,” wrote Karua. She added, “To his family, George brought something rare to his work, a warmth that stayed with you long after you landed. That is a rare gift. All those who had the privilege of knowing him will remember him.”
Tragically, George Were was only months away from full retirement, scheduled for September 2026, after decades of dedicated service to the nation in both military and civilian roles.
George’s Legacy
George Were’s death came just months before he was set to retire, leaving his family and the entire Nyakach community deeply heartbroken.
Francis said it was extremely painful to lose him just when he was about to finally rest after many years of work, urging the authorities to carry out a thorough and honest investigation to determine exactly what caused the crash.
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George was known as a quiet, hardworking, and skilled pilot who treated people with kindness.
On February 28, the helicopter left Wilson Airport at about 11:04 a.m. for several stops related to the MP’s duties.
Later in the day, bad weather, heavy rain, mist, and poor visibility forced the pilot to make an emergency landing in Tabolwa at around 4:20 p.m. Shortly after, the helicopter took off again but flew very low, hit trees, and crashed at around 4:45 p.m.
All six people on board died in the accident. They were Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Kipyegon Ng’eno, KFS ranger and bodyguard Amos Kipngetich Rotich, photographer and journalist Nick Kosgei, teacher Robert Kipkoech Keter, and Narok County protocol officer Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono.
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