Authorities have appealed to residents of Mwihoko, Githurai 45, to return a critical black box taken from the wreckage of a light aircraft that crashed in the area on August 7. The Cessna Citation 560, reportedly heading to Somalia, went down near a residential area close to a military base, sparking shock and curiosity among locals.
Crowds quickly gathered at the crash site, with some pushing close to the burning wreckage to capture photos and videos. Amid the commotion, officials say a crucial box believed to contain key flight data was removed from the aircraft.
“The box is important for understanding exactly what happened that led to the crash. We are appealing to whoever has it to return it immediately,” an official at the scene said.
Authorities stressed that the black box is essential for investigators to determine the cause of the accident, and withholding it could severely hinder the probe. They also warned that tampering with or withholding crash evidence is illegal and could lead to prosecution.
“We understand that people were curious and shocked, but this box belongs in the hands of experts,” another official reiterated.
The crash, which occurred in the morning hours, involved two crew members and two medics on board. Footage from the scene showed the aircraft engulfed in flames as onlookers stood at a distance. Emergency responders, including military personnel and police, arrived swiftly to secure the site and control the crowd.
Githurai 45 Sub-county Police Commander Maurice Odanga confirmed the incident and said aviation and security experts were at the scene conducting investigations. Preliminary findings on the cause of the crash have not been released.
The proximity of the incident to a military base prompted an especially rapid response from nearby officers. Officials concluded their appeal by stressing the urgency of recovering the missing box, calling on the community to cooperate fully to ensure the investigation proceeds without delay.
The incident has left Mwihoko residents shaken, with many expressing concerns about aviation safety and the risk of such accidents occurring in densely populated areas.
