A family in Chengina village, Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Narok County, is mourning the heartbreaking loss of their son, Robert Keter, who perished in Saturday’s helicopter crash in Mosop, Nandi County.
Keter, popularly known as “Mwalimu Carlos,” was among six victims who died in the tragic incident. He had been travelling alongside the late Johana Ng’eno when the helicopter went down.
His death has left a painful void at his rural home, where relatives say what was meant to be the beginning of a brighter future has now turned into unimaginable grief.
Just days before the accident, Keter had secured an employment letter from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) after years of waiting. The long-awaited breakthrough was expected to transform his life and uplift his family.
At their home, his mother, Grace Mutai, struggled to hold back tears as she recalled her final conversation with her son. She said Keter had promised to build her a house once he settled into his new job.
“He told me he would build me a house. He said Mheshimiwa had called him and he would travel but return so we could continue with the plans,” she said.
According to Mutai, on the morning of his departure, they shared tea together before he informed her that he needed to travel to Narok to collect his TSC letter and confirm his posting station.
His sister, Chepkorir Happiness, also shared her last moments with him. She revealed that late that night, Keter had asked her to send him Sh1,000 to withdraw cash. She did so, but when she later tried calling him, his phone was switched off — something she says immediately filled her with worry.
Family members now say they are struggling to come to terms with the loss, describing Keter as their hope and pillar. They had celebrated his TSC appointment as a turning point after years of uncertainty.
“What was supposed to be a new beginning has become deep sorrow,” a relative said as burial preparations began.
As condolences continue to pour in from friends, neighbours and leaders, the family says accepting that their son’s dreams were cut short remains their hardest reality.
