Captain Mario Magonga, who died on Sunday evening, had also his father killed at his Mt Elgon home after retirement from KDF, a former KDF solder has said.
Retired Senior Sergeant Mokaya Ogwagwa said Brigadier Pius Magonga, who hailed from Gusii region, worked in the Artillery Department in KDF together with former Chief of Defense Forces Daudi Tonje.
"Captain Mario Magonga who was piloting the ill fated chopper that crashed in Turkana last night.Capt Mario is a son to the late Brigadier Magonga of the Kenya Army,Artillery Brigade.
"Brigadier Magonga was the first Kisii to have attained the Rank of Brigadier.He was murdered after retirement while at his Mt Elgon home.Brigadier Magonga is renowned not only as the first Omogusii to be Brigadier,but also the first Artillery Brigade Commander," he noted.
Just like his son Mario Magonga, Brigadier Magonga was know to be a pro-reform KDF member who worked hard to protect the country before his death.
"Artillery Brigade and as one of the most accomplished Artillery modernist reformers especially when they teamed up with the accomplished Gen Daudi Rerimoi Chemjor Tonje or DRC as he was popularly known who also served in the Artillery Brigade.His son Mario,briefly served in the Military before he opted out for private piloting career.May his Soul Rest In Perfect Peace," he wrote.
Mario, who quit KDF as Colonel, a rank lower than his father, resigned to join private piloting business and is known to have flown DP Ruto a couple of years for now.
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