A 28-year-old man named Geoffrey Otieno has captivated the online community with his remarkable achievement: the construction of a helicopter from scratch using recycled materials. Hailing from Rabongo Village in Siaya County, Kenya, Otieno amazed fellow Kenyans by sharing images of his nearly finished aircraft.
The journey towards becoming the first Kenyan to independently build a helicopter commenced in 2019 when Otieno started gathering the essential components. His passion for aviation became apparent at a young age, as he frequently informed his siblings during his fifth-grade years that he would one day fly them in an airplane, according to his mother.
Despite facing considerable skepticism and criticism throughout his pursuit of aeronautical engineering, Otieno remained resolute and optimistic. He recalled, “When I initiated the construction of this machine, those around me were deeply skeptical. They ridiculed me, but I maintained a positive outlook.”
Geoffrey Otieno disclosed that his motivation for this groundbreaking endeavor stemmed from his dream of owning an aircraft. Interestingly, he revealed that he had never had the opportunity to be in close proximity to a real helicopter, only having seen them in photos and videos. The partially completed aircraft proudly bears the colors of the Kenyan flag, a testament to his national pride. Despite not yet exhibiting the capability to take flight, Otieno remains hopeful that with the right assistance, he can make his dream a reality. He expressed his desire, saying, “If I had the opportunity to meet an engineer and receive their guidance, I would have this helicopter in the air by now.”
The local residents are now urging the government to recognize and harness the incredible potential of Geoffrey Otieno, recognizing that his innovative spirit and determination could benefit not only himself but also the entire nation.
