In a tragic event that unfolded in Nairobi, a light aircraft operated by Amref Flying Doctors crashed shortly after takeoff from Wilson airport, leading to the deaths of six people. The Cessna aircraft was en route to Hargeisa, Somalia before crashing into a residential area in Githurai and igniting a fire upon impact. Kiambu County Commissioner, Henry Wafula, confirmed that both the four crew members—comprising doctors, nurses, and a pilot—and two individuals on the ground were killed in the incident.
Two other people sustained serious injuries and were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. This unfortunate accident raised immediate concerns about aviation safety as investigators were dispatched to determine the cause of the crash. According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft lost both radar and radio contact just three minutes after departing.
Amref Flying Doctors, a key player in providing medical air services in the region, expressed their mourning through their CEO, Stephen Gitau. The organization stated, “At this time, we are cooperating fully with relevant aviation authorities and emergency response teams to establish the facts surrounding the situation.” The Kenya Defence Forces and National Police Service were also present at the scene to assist in recovery operations.
Eyewitness Patricia Kombo recounted hearing a loud explosion and seeing a red flash before witnessing the aftermath of the tragic event, stating, “We then discovered it was a plane crash and saw the sunken hole the crash had created in the ground.”
In a separate transport incident, a collision between a train and a bus near Naivasha resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, marking another tragic day for transportation safety in Kenya. The bus, operated by the Kenya Pipeline Company, was carrying employees who had just completed their shift. Emergency services have been engaged to manage the consequences of both accidents as the community reels from these losses.
Two other people sustained serious injuries and were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. This unfortunate accident raised immediate concerns about aviation safety as investigators were dispatched to determine the cause of the crash. According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft lost both radar and radio contact just three minutes after departing.
Amref Flying Doctors, a key player in providing medical air services in the region, expressed their mourning through their CEO, Stephen Gitau. The organization stated, “At this time, we are cooperating fully with relevant aviation authorities and emergency response teams to establish the facts surrounding the situation.” The Kenya Defence Forces and National Police Service were also present at the scene to assist in recovery operations.
Eyewitness Patricia Kombo recounted hearing a loud explosion and seeing a red flash before witnessing the aftermath of the tragic event, stating, “We then discovered it was a plane crash and saw the sunken hole the crash had created in the ground.”
In a separate transport incident, a collision between a train and a bus near Naivasha resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, marking another tragic day for transportation safety in Kenya. The bus, operated by the Kenya Pipeline Company, was carrying employees who had just completed their shift. Emergency services have been engaged to manage the consequences of both accidents as the community reels from these losses.
