State to establish monument in Marsabit to honour 2006 plane crash victims

Members of the National Heroes Council and the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture toured the 2006 Marsabit plane crash site on Saturday in an effort to establish a monument in Marsabit to honour the leaders who perished while on a peace mission.

In a statement, the National Heroes Council announced their intent to create a monument in the county to honour all those who perished to preserve their legacy.

"The monument will seek to demonstrate unity among and across communities from the country," said the council.

They stated that 18 years ago, in April 2006, members of a peace delegation that had gone to Marsabit County to champion a peace initiative aimed at reconciling warring communities perished in an aeroplane crash.

Among the deceased were six MPs from the late president Mwai Kibaki era, including the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and North Horr MP and former Foreign Minister Dr Bonaya Godana, Saku MP Abdi Sasura, Moyale MP Guracha Galgallo, Laisamis MP and Assistant Minister of Regional Development Titus Ngoyoni, member of the East African Parliament, Rtd Lt-General Abdullahi Adan, MP Mirugi Kariuki, the Assistant Minister for Internal Security and Bishop William Waqo.

An undersecretary in the president's office, lower-level officials, police, and Air Force crewmembers also perished in the incident.

Those who survived included the then Provincial Commissioner for Eastern Province, Patrick Osare, and Kenya Air Force crew members Senior Sergeant Isaac King’ori Mureithi and Senior Private Trevor Lukwe Mwamuye.

18 years ago on April 2006 part of the members of a peace delegation that had gone to Marsabit County to champion peace initiatives aimed at reconciling warring communities in the county perished in an airplane crash. pic.twitter.com/Q1Z6fyG7Hs

— The National Heroes Council (@Heroes_Kenya) June 8, 2024

The council highlighted that peace-making is one of the categories by which individuals can be recognised as national heroes.

In another statement posted by the parliament, the Members of the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture visited the site of the 2006 plane crash that claimed the lives of prominent leaders, including MPs who were on a peace mission.

The committee reaffirmed their commitment and support to the National Heroes Council in undertaking this noble project.

Residents of Marsabit County commemorate the victims of the plane crash every year to pay tribute to their commitment to peace.

The tragic crash remains one of the most devastating air accidents in the country’s history. It was the first time leaders from the Borana, Gabra, and Rendille communities agreed to come together to devise a comprehensive peace programme after years of hostilities.