Raphael Kanu
A medical evacuation aircraft crashed into a residential building near Nairobi on Thursday, killing at least six people and seriously injuring two others, in a second aviation tragedy to hit Africa within 24 hours.
The light aircraft, operated by Amref Flying Doctors, departed Nairobi’s Wilson Airport at 2:17 p.m. local time and was en route to Somaliland. It crashed shortly after 3:00 p.m. in Ruiru, Kiambu County, on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital.
“We have lost four people, including the pilot… it was all fatal,” said Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula. “The house that it landed on also recorded two deaths. Two others on the ground sustained serious injuries.”
Eyewitnesses described terrifying moments before the crash.
“The plane started burning while still in the air,” said resident Tasha Wanjira.
“It passed by our building and shook it,” added Irene Wangui. “When it hit the ground, there were body parts everywhere.”
Photos from the scene showed crowds of stunned residents and emergency responders picking through the charred wreckage. Some wept openly as they surveyed the damage to their homes and community.
“I have lost everything,” said Margaret Wairimu, a resident whose home was destroyed in the crash. “Thank God my children were not around.”
Stephen Gitau, CEO of Amref Flying Doctors, confirmed that the crashed aircraft was one of the organisation’s medical planes, a Cessna Citation XLS.
“It was involved in a fatal accident today,” Gitau said. “We are focused on the safety and well-being of those on board. Further information will be released once confirmed.”
Founded in 1957 as Flying Doctors of East Africa, Amref Flying Doctors is a well-known emergency medical service provider based in Nairobi.
The Kenya crash comes less than 24 hours after Ghana was plunged into mourning following the crash of a military helicopter that killed all eight people onboard, including the country’s defence and environment ministers.
Both incidents have raised new concerns over aviation safety in Africa, especially in the critical sectors of military and medical transport.
As of press time, investigations into the cause of the Kenyan crash were ongoing, and the identities of all the victims had yet to be officially released.