The aviation community, lawmakers, and relatives mourned Captain George Were, who died in a plane crash in Mosop that also claimed six lives, including Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno.
He was remembered during a requiem mass held in Nairobi as a skilled and accomplished pilot.
At the memorial service, family members, led by his brothers, honored Were as a disciplined and distinguished aviator who devoted four decades to aviation.
“Our late brother George was an accomplished pilot. He served 30 years in the military, chauffeuring many generals. When he retired, he became a commercial pilot for about 10 years,” a family representative said.
Brother to the late Pilot George Were: Our late brother George was an accomplished pilot. He served about 30 years in the military, and he ‘choppered’ so many generals in the military, and when he retired from the army, he became a commercial pilot for about 10 years. In those 10… pic.twitter.com/gFFIvkpGl6
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) March 4, 2026
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, along with fellow legislators, praised Captain Were for his care and talent. Several MPs recalled flying with him in recent months and lauded his warmth and professionalism.
Cheruiyot said he had flown with Captain Were just a week before the crash.
“My own assessment of Captain George, having flown with him just a week before he perished, is that he was a very meticulous pilot. I was with Speaker Wetang’ula, and he can attest that this was a very organized and talented pilot. Much as many people are saying many things, I would still wish to believe only God knows what would have happened,” Cheruiyot said.
Senator Aaron Cheruiyot: I flew with Captain George in Sunday before they perished just a week later and he was very organized. pic.twitter.com/5Aro48J3Ey
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) March 4, 2026
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who personally knew the pilot, recalled flying with him and other leaders two weeks before the tragedy.
“In fact, Captain Were flew me with Aaron Cheruiyot and Faruk Kibet two weeks ago from Narok to Kakamega and back to Nairobi,” Wetang’ula said.
Buuri MP Rindikiri Mugambi described Captain Were as a seasoned pilot well known across the country.
“We have lost other strong people, particularly Captain Were, who was known by everybody in this country. I eulogize him and pray that Almighty God stands with the grieving families,” Mugambi said.
Molo MP Kuria Kimani also shared that he had flown with Captain Were about a month ago and offered prayers and condolences to the families.
“Rubani Were pia mimi amewahi kunibeba kwa muda wa mwezi moja uliopita,” Kimani said.
