Deputy President William Ruto’s Pilot Captain Mario Magonga dies in a chopper crash

Deputy President William Ruto’s Pilot Captain Mario Magonga died following a chopper crash in Turkana.

The wreckage of the chopper and his body was found on Monday morning at 4 am. The cause of the crash is yet to be established.

According to a police report, Captain Magonga died with all the four occupants who were American nationals.

“Security personnel dispatched to the scene confirmed that among the five were four Americans and the Kenyan pilot. Available information indicates that two helicopters had landed earlier at Lobolo tented Camp on the National Park’s Island, however one managed to clear the area safely,” the National Police Service said in a statement.

DP Ruto's Pilot Captain Mario Magonga who died in a Chopper crash in Turkana Pulse Live Kenya

The late Captain Magonga was the first cousin to Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament Richard Onyonka.

Appearing on NTV, Onyonka said that the Chopper Magonga was flying went off the radar upon reaching near Lake Turkana.

"He went off the radar and they were unable to trace him until about 2am when they found his wreckage. The only thing we know is he was the one flying the helicopter,” said Onyonka.

The late Captain Magonga worked for Tropic Air Kenya until June 2015, when he left to pursue his flying career.