Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Board Chair Caleb Kositany narrowly escaped tragedy this morning as the private helicopter they were traveling in crash landed while attempting to takeoff in Mwachon, Baringo County.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with initial reports suggesting possible mechanical failure as a contributing factor. Authorities have assured the public that a thorough inquiry will be conducted to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
Chopper carrying Cs Kipchumba Murkomen and KAA chair Kositany crash3s as it attempts to take off at Mwachon, Baringo County. pic.twitter.com/bZKGxYThkB
— Goddie (@Goddie_Ke) March 9, 2024
Speaking about the scary incident, Murkomen assured Kenyans of his safety. The two were heading to a funeral in Migori county.
“Arrived safely in Nyatike, Migori County with the Chairman Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to condole with our KAA MD Henry Ogoye who lost his loving mother. Earlier on, we had a small mishap and we thank God we are safe. Thank you all for your concerns, prayers and best wishes. God bless you,” he said.
This comes few days after a pilot and his student died after their plane, a Cessna aircraft collided mid-air with a commercial aircraft at the Nairobi National Park. Their plane, a Cessna 172 belonging to Ninety Nines flying school, crashed into the Nairobi National Park while the other plane belonging to Safarilink, which was heading to Diani with 44 passengers and 5 crew members, turned back and safely landed at Wilson Airport.
“The crew decided to immediately turn back to Nairobi Wilson Airport for further inspection and assessment and landed safely. There were no casualties reported,” Safarilink said.
Investigations reveal that the CESSNA 172 has been involved in two accidents before. It was registered on August 2, 2018, manufactured in 1976 and has been among the planes used in training of pilots at the school.