Along with General Francis Ogolla, the Chief of Defence Forces, the pilot of the doomed military helicopter, and nine other officers, they perished in the catastrophic accident.
Major George Benson Magondu, 29, lost his life tragically on April 18, 2024, when the helicopter he was piloting went down in Chesegon, near the border between Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot.
Pilot Magondu, whose proficiency had earned him a promotion to major, was assigned to fly not only General Francis Ogolla, the head of the Defense Forces, but also high-ranking government officials.
The events of that fateful day, when the military helicopter Bell UH-1H Huey II he was piloting went down in a tragic crash, tragically sealed the young major's fate.
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His wife, a military captain, startled his family by telling them about the accident in the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The events of that fateful day, when the military helicopter Bell UH-1H Huey II he was piloting went down in a tragic crash, tragically sealed the young major's fate.
His wife, a military captain, startled his family by telling them about the accident in the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet County.
"We could not understand how...I told her we should wait and call their office. She tried calling the communication centre but was told the plane had crashed in Baringo. We were told he had a deep cut and was airlifted to hospital but he didn't make it," Mary Wambui, Magondu's mother, says.
Major Magondu was a devoted husband, a pillar of the family, a father of three children, a son, and a friend to many.
"The gap is there because George was a family man at 29, he acted like a father of 40 years. He loved the family the kids the wife. He could sacrifice all his time and money," says his mother.
“Watoto wanauliza mama yao tunataka daddy. Mtoto wangu akiskia hivyo anatokwa na machozi hata hajui aseme nini,” adds his mother-in-law Maureen Akinyi.
According to his family, Major Magondu was a visionary young man. He attended Moi Forces Academy for both his primary and secondary education.
When he applied to be a cadet, his military career began.
"He did the training for three years which included military studies through KU and he passed well from there they graduated at Lanet and after graduating he was posted to Nanyuki airbase," his mother narrates.
The late Magondu rose to become a major but still had high ambitions.
Wambui adds: "He has risen from that rank after training he came up to the captain and now at the age of 29 he is a major. He used to say he would become the head of the armed forces."
He will be laid to rest in Karimeno, Laikipia County.
