PS Korir SingOei/HANDOUTKenya has assured Ecuador of its commitment to conclude preliminary investigations into the helicopter crash that killed Ecuador’s intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, his wife and five other people in Samburu County.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei conveyed the assurance during a phone call with Ecuador’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Davalos, as Kenya moved to support efforts to retrieve and repatriate the remains of those killed in the crash.
Sensi-Contugi, Director of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI), and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, were among seven people who died when a tourist safari helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on August 19.
In his message to Davalos, Sing’Oei expressed Kenya’s solidarity with Ecuador and offered condolences to the family of the intelligence chief and his wife.
“I spoke by phone with Alejandro Davalos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador and conveyed Kenya's solidarity and deepest condolences to the family of the late Michele Sensi-Contugi, Director of Ecuador's National Intelligence Centre (CNI) and his wife, Stephany Hollihan,” Sing’Oei said.
The PS said Kenya was working around the clock to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident while supporting the process of recovering the victims’ remains.
“I reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to working round the clock to conclude preliminary investigations into the circumstances of the accident,” he said.
Sing’Oei added that the government would facilitate the necessary support towards the retrieval and repatriation of the remains.
He said the objective was to ensure that the victims were returned to their respective countries and accorded a dignified send-off.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:13 am local time on August 19 in Samburu County, according to information provided following the accident.
The helicopter went down near Mount Ololokwe, an area popular with tourists and known for its distinctive landscape.
Sing’Oei said Kenya stood with Ecuador during the period of mourning and assured the country of the government’s support.
The PS also offered a message of comfort to those mourning the victims, urging them to draw strength from one another as they come to terms with the deaths.
He paid tribute to the deceased, saying their memory would remain a source of comfort to those who knew them.
“May the memory of Michele and Stephany continue to be a source of solace for all who knew and loved them," Sing'oei added.
