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Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei has called on the government to expedite the repatriation of two Kenyan nationals who lost their lives in a plane crash in South Sudan more than a month ago.
The senator is seeking answers from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs regarding the status of the remains of Captain Francis Lagat Rutto and Brian Mwenge, who were among 14 people killed when a plane crashed near Juba on April 27.
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Sigei expressed concern over the prolonged delay in returning the bodies to Kenya, saying the families deserve an opportunity to give their loved ones a dignified burial.
“It is worrying that more than a month after the tragedy, the remains of the two Kenyans have not been returned home for burial,” he said.
The lawmaker has requested a statement from the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations detailing the steps taken by the ministry to identify and repatriate the victims.
He also wants the government to provide a clear timeline for the repatriation process and explain who will cover the associated costs.
In addition, Sigei has sought clarification on whether the ministry has maintained communication with the affected families and provided them with regular updates on the progress of identification and repatriation efforts.
The senator further questioned whether consular assistance has been offered to support the bereaved families during the difficult period.
Captain Rutto, who hailed from Chebole in Bomet County’s Sotik Constituency, and Mwenge from Lurambi Constituency in Kakamega County, were among those killed in the crash.
The accident occurred when a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan operated by CityLink Aviation crashed while flying from Yei to Juba. According to South Sudan aviation authorities, the aircraft lost contact with controllers shortly after take-off before crashing about 20 kilometres southwest of Juba.
All 14 people on board, including 13 passengers and one pilot, died in the accident. Authorities reported that the bodies were severely burnt, making identification difficult.
Preliminary findings indicated that poor weather conditions and low visibility may have contributed to the crash, although investigations are still ongoing.
The tragedy adds to a series of aviation accidents recorded in South Sudan over the years, with experts citing factors such as ageing aircraft, weak oversight, poor weather, overloading, and pilot error as common causes of air disasters in the country.
