AMREF Flying Doctors has pledged full support for the families of staff and civilians affected by Thursday’s tragic aircraft crash in Mwihoko, Githurai, Nairobi.
The Cessna Citation XLS, registration 5Y-FDM, had departed Wilson Airport at 2:17 p.m., bound for Hargeisa, Somaliland, on a medical evacuation mission. Barely three minutes into the flight, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control.
It crashed in a residential area near a military base, bursting into flames on impact. Six people were killed including members of the medical crew, the pilot, and two residents on the ground. Two others sustained serious injuries.
In a statement, AMREF Flying Doctors CEO Stephen Gitau confirmed that the mission was humanitarian in nature. He revealed that attempts to reach the crew via radio and satellite phone immediately after takeoff were unsuccessful.
“We are profoundly saddened by this tragic loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of our fallen colleagues and the affected members of the community,” Gitau said. “We are doing everything possible to support the families, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”
Emergency responders, including the Kenya Defence Forces, police units, Kiambu County officials, and the Kenya Red Cross, swiftly moved to the scene to secure the area and assist with rescue and recovery operations. Graphic footage from the site showed the wreckage engulfed in flames as residents watched from a distance.
Gitau acknowledged and appreciated the prompt response from authorities and members of the public, saying, “We are grateful for the swift and generous support.”
AMREF Flying Doctors is now working closely with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and other security agencies to investigate the cause of the crash. Air crash investigators are expected to analyse flight data, radio communications, and debris from the wreckage.
The tragedy has cast a sombre mood over Kenya’s aviation and humanitarian sectors, with tributes pouring in for the crew members who died while on a mission to save lives.
As investigations continue, AMREF Flying Doctors has assured the public that accurate and timely updates will be provided as more information emerges. The organisation says its priority remains standing with the bereaved and supporting the recovery of the injured.
