A family in Moding village, Teso North, is in mourning following the death of Alex Oluka, a flight instructor who died in an aircraft crash in Kajiado on Friday. Oluka, who had graduated as a pilot a few months prior to the crash, was described by his family and residents as a diligent and hard-working young man. He was the first pilot from the community, and his death has left his family and residents with a deep sense of loss.
Oluka's mother, Everlyn Inait, expressed her grief, saying her son had always been determined to help the family and had taken responsibility for supporting his younger siblings. She recalled the sacrifices she made to educate him, working on other people's farms to raise money for his school fees. Inait had spoken to Oluka on Thursday, a day before the crash, and was shocked when she learned of his death.
Oluka had become a source of hope for his younger siblings, who were relying on him to support their education. His father, Leonard Otolim, said Oluka had promised to ensure that the education of his younger siblings would not be interrupted. The siblings, twins in grades 7 and 8, were hopeful that Alex would support them in their studies.
Residents of Moding village said Oluka's achievement of becoming a pilot had been a source of pride for the community. His death has not only left his family grieving but has also robbed the community of a young man they viewed as a symbol of possibility and hope. The community is coming to terms with the loss of their first pilot.
The aircraft crash occurred during a routine training exercise in Kipeto, Kajiado County, on Friday, September 18. Kajiado West Police Commander Maureen Kuto confirmed the accident, saying the aircraft had two people on board when it crashed near a wind power plant. One person died at the scene, while the other died from injuries while being rushed to Kajiado Referral Hospital.
Officials said preliminary reports indicated that poor visibility caused by heavy morning mist may have contributed to the crash. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region. An investigation into the cause of the crash is likely to be conducted.
The family and community are seeking support to take care of Oluka's younger siblings, who have lost their primary source of support. The incident has also sparked a conversation about the challenges faced by families in rural areas in supporting their children's education.
Key points
- The pilot, Alex Oluka, was the first from his community to achieve his goal of becoming a pilot.
- The aircraft crash is believed to have been caused by poor visibility due to heavy morning mist.
- The incident has left the community and Oluka's family grieving and seeking support for his younger siblings.
