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Kenyan minister George Saitoti killed in helicopter crash | Kenyan minister George Saitoti killed in helicopter crash |
(2 days later) | |
Kenyan Internal Security Minister George Saitoti has been killed in a helicopter crash, officials say. | Kenyan Internal Security Minister George Saitoti has been killed in a helicopter crash, officials say. |
Mr Saitoti and his deputy, Orwa Ojode, died when the aircraft went down west of Nairobi. President Mwai Kibaki has declared three days of mourning. | Mr Saitoti and his deputy, Orwa Ojode, died when the aircraft went down west of Nairobi. President Mwai Kibaki has declared three days of mourning. |
There is no word on the cause of the crash, in which six people were killed, including bodyguards and pilots. | There is no word on the cause of the crash, in which six people were killed, including bodyguards and pilots. |
Mr Saitoti, a former vice-president, had been planning to run in a forthcoming presidential poll. | Mr Saitoti, a former vice-president, had been planning to run in a forthcoming presidential poll. |
The 66-year-old was on his way to a security meeting when his helicopter crashed on Sunday morning. | The 66-year-old was on his way to a security meeting when his helicopter crashed on Sunday morning. |
An journalist for AFP news agency saw six charred bodies being removed from the wreckage. | An journalist for AFP news agency saw six charred bodies being removed from the wreckage. |
Another reporter at the scene says debris of the burnt-out police helicopter were strewn in the brush. | Another reporter at the scene says debris of the burnt-out police helicopter were strewn in the brush. |
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, speaking at the site, described the deaths as a "great tragedy", and promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. | Prime Minister Raila Odinga, speaking at the site, described the deaths as a "great tragedy", and promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. |
Leading politician | Leading politician |
George Saitoti had been a key figure in Kenyan politics, holding a number of senior ministerial posts over the last 30 years and becoming the country's longest-serving vice-president. | George Saitoti had been a key figure in Kenyan politics, holding a number of senior ministerial posts over the last 30 years and becoming the country's longest-serving vice-president. |
The professor of mathematics joined Daniel arap Moi's government as a finance minister in 1983, going on to become his vice-president in 1988. | The professor of mathematics joined Daniel arap Moi's government as a finance minister in 1983, going on to become his vice-president in 1988. |
He briefly stepped down as education minister in 1996 over accusations he was involved in the Goldenberg financial scandal, but was reinstated when a Kenyan court ruled he should not be charged. | He briefly stepped down as education minister in 1996 over accusations he was involved in the Goldenberg financial scandal, but was reinstated when a Kenyan court ruled he should not be charged. |
After years as a senior member in the long-dominant Kanu party, Mr Saitoti joined the current president Mwai Kibaki's National Alliance of Kenya in 2002. | After years as a senior member in the long-dominant Kanu party, Mr Saitoti joined the current president Mwai Kibaki's National Alliance of Kenya in 2002. |
The death of Professor George Saitoti, a key ally of President Mwai Kibaki, is a second blow to the coalition government after the death of senior minister John Michuki in February. | The death of Professor George Saitoti, a key ally of President Mwai Kibaki, is a second blow to the coalition government after the death of senior minister John Michuki in February. |
His death will be greeted with sadness across the country, as the professor was one of the country's seasoned politicians. | His death will be greeted with sadness across the country, as the professor was one of the country's seasoned politicians. |
He was perceived as a no-nonsense man who had a rocky relationship with the media, often accusing it of misrepresenting him. | He was perceived as a no-nonsense man who had a rocky relationship with the media, often accusing it of misrepresenting him. |
As the minister in charge of the country's security, his profile was high following Kenya's incursion into neighbouring Somalia to fight al-Shabab militants. | As the minister in charge of the country's security, his profile was high following Kenya's incursion into neighbouring Somalia to fight al-Shabab militants. |
Mr Saitoti had announced his intention to run for the presidency during next year's general election. He was a leading contender for the post. | Mr Saitoti had announced his intention to run for the presidency during next year's general election. He was a leading contender for the post. |
As Internal Security Minister under Mr Kibaki, he was a leading government voice against the Somali militant group al-Shabab. | |
Kenyan troops have been fighting al-Shabab in Somalia since they sent troops into the country last October. | |
The militants have killed several people in a string of grenade attacks in various parts of Kenya, including Nairobi. | The militants have killed several people in a string of grenade attacks in various parts of Kenya, including Nairobi. |
Mr Saitoti announced he would stand for the presidency last November. | Mr Saitoti announced he would stand for the presidency last November. |
No date for the presidential election has so far been set. Mr Kibaki's mandate ends in January 2013. | No date for the presidential election has so far been set. Mr Kibaki's mandate ends in January 2013. |
Prime Minister Odinga - a rival of both Mr Kibaki and Mr Saitoti - is also to stand for president. | Prime Minister Odinga - a rival of both Mr Kibaki and Mr Saitoti - is also to stand for president. |
The last presidential election, in December 2007, was followed by a wave of ethnic and political violence in which about 1,500 were killed. | The last presidential election, in December 2007, was followed by a wave of ethnic and political violence in which about 1,500 were killed. |