[Sept 19,

      The body of Kenya Revenue Authority commissioner for customs, Mr Francis Thuranira was flown to Nairobi yesterday.

His body, together with that of his driver Esau Nyongesa Mungiro, arrived at Wilson Airport in a police helicopter at 4pm and was received by Mr Thuranira's wife, Ann Gacheri and son Brian. Also at the airport was Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo.

The bodies were taken to Lee Funeral Home.

Mr Thuranira and Mr Mungiro died on Saturday evening when their car rolled several times at Maji ya Chumvi near Samburu on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

According to witnesses, the accident occurred some minutes after 6.30pm as Mr Thuranira was being taken to Moi International Airport in Mombasa to board a 7pm flight to Nairobi.

He was part of a delegation that had attended the burial of the mother of KRA chairman Leonard Mwangola in Mbale, Wundanyi.

"His driver was trying to avoid colliding with an oncoming lorry when he lost control of the Toyota Prado vehicle and rolled several times," said a witness.

Mr Thuranira and his driver died instantly, while two other passengers – senior KRA deputy commissioner in charge of southern region Alphonse Ntogaiti and board director Issac Muoki were injured and are recovering at Pandya Memorial Hospital in Mombasa.

The two, however, declined to speak to the Press, saying only the police and their commissioner-general Michael Waweru could give a statement about the accident.

Mr Waweru, who also attended the burial in Wundanyi, arrived at the scene of the accident some minutes past 7pm.

Yesterday, he said a crisis management committee had been formed to coordinate funeral arrangements.

At the hospital, KRA officials, Kenya Ports Authority managing director Brown Ondego and clearing and forwarding agents led by their chairman Peter Mambembe joined friends and relatives in mourning.

The remains were flown to Nairobi in a police helicopter.

Mr Thuranira joined the public service in 1976 and was appointed commissioner of customs in January last year.

Mr Thuranira–a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of Nairobi– is credited with setting up the protocol and instruments for the East African Community.

He was part of the Government negotiating team to the Common Market for eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).

He served as World Customs organisation council regional vice chairperson until June this year.

He was also a member of the Government budget team said Finace Minister David Mwiraria who send his condolences.