Nairobi (Alshahid)-Kenyan Internal Security Minister George Saitoti was killed on Sunday alongside a junior minister and four others after a police helicopter crashed near Nairobi, the vice-president said.

“It is unfortunate that we have lost honourable Prof Saitoti, assistant minister Orwa Ojode,” Kalonzo Musyoka told journalists.

Joshua Orwa Ojode was assistant minister for internal security. The other victims included the two pilots and two bodyguards, Musyoka said.

The others were the two pilots – Luke Oyugi and Nancy Gituanja – and two of the ministers’ bodyguards – Inspector Joshua Tonkei and Sergeant Thomas Murimi.

The Chopper left early in the morning from Wilson Aiport and was headed towards Ndhiwa in Homabay County before the tragedy occured.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash. More people were feared to have been on board the helicopter.

The victims’ charred remains that were scattered in a forest near Nairobi.

Saitoti, a candidate in next year’s election to succeed President Mwai Kibaki, was the country’s longest-serving vice-president.