Gospel singer Daddy Owen has given his take after meeting friends who knew the late Captain George Were, who perished in the helicopter crash that claimed six lives, including that of Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno.
The gospel singer shared that the people he interacted with on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, all described the deceased as one of the most diligent pilots they knew.
“Today I was with my friends who were flown by Pilot George Were & they described him as one of the most diligent pilots they knew,” Owen said.
He also acknowledged that the crash that is under investigation is shrouded in speculation, with the focus shifting to the authorities on what really happened.
“The incident remains shrouded in speculation; was it a case of get-there-itis? Regardless, may their souls rest in peace. It was a tragic accident,” he added.
Dignitaries honour Captain George Were
The account shared by those who interacted with the singer mirrors several others, including lawmakers and politicians who shared details of their times on the ground and in the skies with the experienced pilot.
From his warm personality, experience in the skies and familiarity with politicians across the political divide, tributes flowed as dignitaries recounted their times with the departed pilot, who had a clean record, with the accident that claimed his life being the only one in his career spanning close to four decades.
“One of the six who perished in yesterday’s helicopter crash, in Nandi County, was known to me. The pilot, Mr George Were, was a good man with a warm demeanour. I am thinking of all six families, may they find strength during this incredibly difficult time,” politician Martha Karua stated.
On his part, activist Boniface Mwangi remembered Were as a disciplined pilot who blended experience with professionalism and was careful both on the ground and in the air.
“I knew one of the people who perished in that crash, George Were. He was our pilot during the Azimio campaigns; we travelled the country with him, and he was one of the most careful, disciplined pilots that was in that entire team,” Mwangi said.
He died on February 28, 2026, after the helicopter he was flying crashed in Nandi Hills, killing all occupants.
Autopsy results
An autopsy conducted on the bodies by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor established that they died as a result of multiple injuries and burns from the helicopter crash.
“Upon looking at the bodies, they had varying levels of injuries, which varied from head injuries, chest injuries and spinal injuries. There were also varying levels of burns; some were burnt more than others, but they were identifiable,” Oduor said.
“They died because of multiple injuries and the burns, and these were caused by the helicopter crash.”
