Six people have died and at least two others were injured after an AMREF Flying Doctors aircraft crashed into residential buildings in Mwihoko, Ruiru, Kiambu County, on Wednesday afternoon.
The small plane, a Cessna Citation XLS with registration number 5Y-FDM, had taken off from Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 2:17 PM. It was on its way to Hargeisa, Somalia, when it crashed under unclear circumstances.
According to Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula, the plane had four people on board—two doctors and two nurses—who all died in the crash. Two civilians who were on the ground also lost their lives after the aircraft hit buildings in the residential area. The names of the victims have not yet been released, as families are still being informed.
At least two people who were nearby at the time of the crash were seriously injured and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Emergency responders, including paramedics, police officers, and firefighters, arrived at the scene quickly to assist.
A joint team from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service has since taken over the area to help with rescue and recovery efforts. The site has been sealed off as investigations continue.
Stephen Gitau, the CEO of AMREF Flying Doctors, released a statement confirming the crash. He said the organization is working closely with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and other emergency agencies to find out what caused the accident.
“At this time, we are cooperating fully with the relevant aviation authorities and emergency response teams to establish the facts surrounding the situation,” Gitau said.
While the exact cause of the crash is not yet known, aviation experts from the Kenya Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) are expected to examine the aircraft’s flight data and speak to witnesses as part of the investigation.
Local residents who saw the crash described hearing a loud bang, followed by smoke and fire. Some reported that the plane seemed to be struggling mid-air before it came down.
Authorities will, Investigate the cause of the crash, Identify and contact families of the victims, Provide support to the injured and Assess damage to nearby homes and property.
This tragic incident has shocked the Mwihoko community and the nation at large, especially since AMREF Flying Doctors is widely known for providing emergency medical services across Africa.
More updates will follow as investigations progress.
