Kenya Airways Pilot Who Died of Covid-19 after New York - Nairobi Flight is a Hero, Says Health Cabinet Secretary

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has hailed Kenya Airways pilot who died of coronavirus on Wednesday, April 1st as a hero.

In a message of condolence to the family of Captain Daudi Kimuyu Kibati, CS Kagwe said the deceased made the ultimate sacrifice by evacuating many Kenyans from New York amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Captain Kibati was in charge of KQ’s last flight from New York, the most Covid-19-hit city in the US.

“Capt. Kibati flew Kenyans back home on Wednesday, March 26th before the government banned international flights. He managed to evacuate many Kenyans and non-Kenyans back to our country only for him to succumb to the COVID-19 disease,” said Kagwe.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice and Kenyans owe him a great deal.” 

On Saturday morning, Kenya Airways staff lined up outside Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi to pay their last respects to Captain Kibati, who will be laid to rest later in the day in Maliku, Kitui County.

Captain Kibati, 61, died while undergoing medication at the Nairobi Hospital, just two days after he tested positive for coronavirus.

Kenya has so far registered 126 cases of Covid-19, four deaths, and four recoveries.