South Sudan President Salva Kiir has rewarded a village in Baringo County for helping save his life 3o years ago.
This was after Kiir’s plane crashed in the Torongo area at around 11 am in December 1993.
On Sunday, a South Sudan delegation visited the scene to meet with the families of the persons who helped Kiir and the others in 1993.
It was led by Presidential Affairs Minister Barnaba Benjamin, Minister of Environment Josephine Nopwon, President Kiir’s son Thiik Kiir, South Sudan’s ambassador in Kenya Chol Ajongo, and Ambassador Bol Wek, among others.
In appreciation, Benjamin said the government has plans to build a modern accident and trauma centre at the Eldama Ravine Mission Hospital, which will be named after President Salva Kiir.
The crash site will be a part of South Sudan’s heritage and will be transformed into a tourist attraction.
Roads will be paved and the healthcare facilities that provided medical assistance then will be upgraded, alongside the proposed Salva Kiir Mayardit Accident and Trauma Centre at Eldama Ravine.
At the event were Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, Baringo Deputy Governor Felix Kimwok, MPs Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), Julius Rutto (Kesses), and Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine).
At the time of the crash, Kiir was the chief of general staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).
Onboard the plane were five other people including the pilot, Kiir’s security officer, two Norwegian medics and a Briton, who is said to have died on the spot.
The pilot and the Norwegians sustained severe injuries to their backs leading to them being confined to wheelchairs.
The people living near the crash site had arrived to rescue the victims and organised their transport to the hospital.
President Kiir and his security officer were carried by truck while the others were rushed to the hospital in a car.
Villagers said they rushed them to Torongo Health Center for first aid before being taken to the Eldama Ravine Mission Hospital and then to a Kabarak farm in Nakuru County.
Two years after the accident, the villagers learnt that the people they had rescued were Sudanese and diplomats.
Kiir’s lost passport which was returned last year.
The passport was collected by a family, alongside the other passengers’ passports and armlets, which it kept safe.
