Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has ordered security protection for the children of National Intelligence Chief Michele Sensi Contugi Ycaza, who died alongside his wife in a helicopter crash in Samburu County on Wednesday.
Through an Executive Decree issued a day after the accident, Noboa instructed the Presidential Military Household to provide security and protection for the couple’s children.
According to Ecuadorian newspaper El Comercio, the directive was signed by Noboa while he was on an international tour in China. It also allows for other family members to receive protection if a risk assessment determines that such measures are necessary.
“With Executive Decree 478, President Daniel Noboa ordered the Presidential Military House to provide security and protection measures to the children of Michele Sensi Contugi Ycaza, who served as Director General of the National Intelligence Center.
"In addition, Noboa ordered that, after a risk assessment report, other family members who require such measures should be included,” the report stated.
The decree, however, does not identify any specific threat against the children or explain the circumstances prompting the decision to provide them with security.
The protection order is among several executive measures taken by the Ecuadorian government following the August 19 helicopter crash that claimed seven lives.
Ecuador has also ordered a state funeral for Sensi Contugi and his wife, Stephany María Hollihan. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, National Defense and Interior have been tasked with coordinating the arrangements with the bereaved family.
The government further declared three days of national mourning from August 20 to August 22. During the mourning period, Ecuador’s national flag will fly at half-mast at civilian and military public institutions.
Noboa has also appointed Luis Carlos Ávila Chávez as Acting Director General of the National Intelligence Center, taking over the position left vacant following Sensi Contugi’s death.
Sensi Contugi and Hollihan were visiting Kenya on holiday when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed at approximately 9:13am near Mount Ololokwe, on the route towards Loisaba Conservancy.
The five other people who died were American nationals. They included José Alberto Suárez, an NBCUniversal and Telemundo executive who had headed several local television stations in Florida.
Following the crash, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is coordinating the response with relevant government agencies and stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) under the Ministry of Roads and Transport is leading investigations into the circumstances and cause of the crash.
