Kirinyaga: Burial Of KDF Officer Who Talked To Wife Before Chopper Crash Underway

• John Kinyua was laid to rest at his native home in Kirimunge, Kirinyaga Central, on Friday, April 26
• The 38-year-old died alongside nine others in a nasty Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter crash on April 18
• Until his tragic demise, Kinyua was a senior sergeant with the armed forces; he is survived by his widow, Grace Wambui and their two children

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

The late Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Muriithi was laid to rest on Friday, April 26.

Kinyua's funeral service was held at the ACK Kirimunge School grounds, where mourners in their numbers showed up to pay their last respects.

Sergeant Kinyua Muriithi's last salute

The deceased's colleagues from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) were also present to bid farewell to one of their own.

Kinyua is survived by his widow, Grace Wambui, and their two children, Harvey Muriithi and Effey Nyakio.

In her eulogy, the widow vowed to continue her husband's legacy and the inculcation of critical virtues into their children.

Wambui appreciated her deceased husband's commitment to acquainting their children with the Bible teachings and ways.

"I will endeavour to train our children the many virtues you had, the way you taught them to read the Bible and carry the Bible to school, being a timekeeper and also being principled," she said.

Video; courtesy

Inside 9-minute phone call before KDF chopper crash

Earlier, Wambui had revealed that she spoke to Kinyua by phone exactly nine minutes before the accident.

She said her husband, on the other end of the phone call, enquired about her whereabouts and if she had taken her lunch.

Wamboi revealed they had plans for their young family, which would not be fulfilled as their only pillar was a goner.

She could not hold back her tears as the reality of her husband's tragic death hit.

Deadly KDF chopper crash

President William Ruto revealed that the ill-fated Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter carrying 12 people had just left Chesegon, West Pokot county, for Uasin Gishu county.

It came tumbling down in Keben, Elgeyo Marawket county, a few moments after take off.

Besides Ogolla and Kinyua, others who perished were Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

More about Elgeyo Marakwet chopper crash

• News of the helicopter crash went rife on social media as amateur images from the scene got shared, suggesting a nasty accident.
• Ruto would later confirm that nine of the 12 occupants of the aircraft, including CDF Ogolla, perished.
• Their remains were immediately airlifted to the Embakasi Garrison in Nairobi, where a brief session of interdenominational prayer was held in their honour.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.