A sleepy village in Kavisuni, Kitui Rural constituency is mourning the loss of a seasoned Kenya Airways pilot Major (Rtd) Captain Daudi Kimuyu Kibati who succumbed to Covid-19 infection.
Captain Kibati died on April 1 at a Nairobi Hospital according to a statement released by KQ Chief Human Resources Officer Everlyne Munyoki on April 2.
Munyoki said that the late pilot was a Captain of the 787 fleet in the KQ Operations Department.
The pilot who enjoyed stellar accomplishments in the aviation industry pioneered his career at the Kenya Air Force as a jet pilot before plunging into commercial flights at the national carrier Kenya Airways after retirement.
Following his death, the family has requested that since he led a private life, he should be mourned away from the media glare.
Captain Kibati flew the last Dreamliner to land in JKIA on Wednesday March 25 and immediately went into quarantine with all the crew members following the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.
He is fondly remembered in his village as the pilot who occasionally flew a chopper hovering over Maliku Primary School just to inspire the pupils to dream big.
Kitui Assembly Deputy Speaker Kasee Musya (MCA Kisasi Ward) eulogized the late Captain Kibati describing him as one of the most dependable pilots who served the country diligently.
Plans are underway to inter his remains at his rural home on Saturday in the presence of close family members under the supervision of healthcare workers.
By Yobesh Onwong’a
