Magufuli Awards the Tanzanian Pilot who stole a Kenyan Plane for Patriotism

Tanzania’s President, John Pombe Magufuli, called on their citizens to emulate the pilot who tricked the JKIA officials and stole a plane belonging to the Kenyan government.

It is reported that Magufuli rewarded the pilot, Naziz Peter Mapunda, with a presidential golden handshake of TShs10 million (Kshs 450,000) cash.

Following the collapse of the East African Community in January 1977, through which the East African Airways was managed, it is alleged that Mapunda tricked the aviation officials in Kenya and fled to Tanzania.

“He pretended to be landing the plane at the (Nairobi) airport but decided to take off with it without clearance by the authorities, risking his life for his country. That is patriotism, and we must all emulate him,” Magufuli lauded the brave pilot.

According to reports, at the time of the incident, after Uganda exited the EAC, Kenya and Tanzania had very poor relations.

Each country was to own the planes that were in its territory and as it happened, Mapunda was in Nairobi and was supposed to hand over his plane to the Kenyan authorities.


The plane later formed the original fleet for Air Tanzania which was launched three months after the dramatic fall of the East African Airways.

The Tanzanian president, who also termed Mapunda’s actions as the epitome of patriotism, further gifted the pilot with an offer to enjoy free, lifetime Air Tanzania flights to any destination across the country.

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