Major George Magondu: Family mourns 29-year-old pilot of ill-fated military helicopter

The pilot of the ill-fated military chopper that went down with Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, and nine other officers also died in the tragic crash.

Twenty-nine-year-old Major George Benson Magondu's life was tragically cut short when the helicopter he was flying went down in Chesegon, along the Elgeyo Marakwet-West Pokot border on April 18, 2024.

Magondu, a pilot whose skill and expertise had seen him rise to the rank of major, had been tasked with flying not only the Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, but also senior government officials.

The fate of the young major was tragically sealed by the events of the fateful day when military chopper Bell UH-1H Huey II, which he was flying came down in a tragic crash.

His family shockingly learnt of the news of the accident that occurred in the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet County, through his wife who is a captain in the military.

“We could not understand how...I told her we should wait and call their office. She tried to call the communication centre but she 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, a husband, father of three, son and friend to many is said to have been selfless and a family pillar.

“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.

The family of the late Major Magondu describes him as a visionary young man, he is remembered as a student at Moi Forces Academy where he went to primary and secondary school.

His journey in the military started when he applied to train as a cadet.

“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 through the ranks 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.