Michele Sensi-Contugi was an Italian-Ecuadorian businessman and senior government official who headed Ecuador’s intelligence agency before he died alongside his wife in a helicopter crash in Kenya.
Sensi-Contugi and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vásconez, were among seven people killed when a tourist helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on August 19.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the helicopter was on a scenic flight from Loisaba Conservancy to Ewaso Nyiro when it crashed at about 9:13 a.m. on August 19.
The victims included Sensi-Contugi, Hollihan, four other American citizens and the Kenyan pilot.
At the time of his death, Sensi-Contugi was director general of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Centre, an institution previously known as the Centre for Strategic Intelligence (CIES).
He had first been appointed to lead the intelligence agency in January 2024, briefly served as Ecuador’s Minister of Government later that year, and returned to the intelligence post in August 2024.
Who Was Michele Sensi-Contugi?
Michele Sensi-Contugi Ycaza was an Italian-Ecuadorian businessman who later became one of the senior figures in President Daniel Noboa’s government.
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He was born in Italy and built his career in Ecuador, where he worked in business before moving into public service.
According to reports, he was a close associate of President Noboa and was also among the people who financially supported Noboa’s 2023 presidential campaign.
Before joining government, Sensi-Contugi ran businesses in Guayaquil, including companies dealing in rubber and plastic products, clothing, and scientific research.
His transition from the private sector into senior government positions eventually placed him at the centre of Ecuador’s national security establishment.
Sensi-Contugi’s first government position was as director general of the Centre for Strategic Intelligence (CIES).
President Daniel Noboa appointed him to the position on January 2, 2024, replacing Fausto Cobo and making him responsible for producing strategic intelligence for the Ecuadorian state.
During his initial period as intelligence chief, Noboa also appointed Sensi-Contugi to represent the president on the boards of several state-owned companies, including Astinave EP, Santa Bárbara EP and Petroecuador. He was subsequently given responsibilities involving other state enterprises, including Flopec, CNEL and Celec.
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From Intelligence Chief to Government Minister
In April 2024, President Noboa appointed Michele Sensi-Contugi Minister of Government, succeeding Mónica Palencia in the role.
While serving as minister, Sensi-Contugi oversaw the intelligence agency in an interim capacity.
He served as Minister of Government until August 2024, after which Arturo Félix Wong took over the ministry. Sensi-Contugi returned to the intelligence leadership, where he remained until his death.
Sensi-Contugi was associated with Senco S.A., a Guayaquil-based company the manufactures rubber and plastic products. He was also linked to businesses operating in clothing and scientific research.
Sensi-Contugi then moved from business to government and later led one of the country’s most sensitive institutions.
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