A sombre mood has engulfed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) following the tragic death of two personnel in a plane crash on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Kwale County.
The crash involved a Kenya Air Force Grob 120A aircraft, which went down shortly after taking off from Mombasa International Airport. The ill-fated flight was a routine training mission under the KDF’s Aviation Centre of Excellence.
On board were Major Evander Ochieng Amondi, a respected flying instructor, and his student, Lieutenant D.M. Nzuva. Both perished on the spot when the aircraft crashed in Mafundani village, near Mwakijembe Primary School in Ndavaya.
Maj Amondi, widely celebrated within military aviation circles, had recently led a fly-past during the national Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1 in Homa Bay. Colleagues described him as a highly skilled and passionate instructor who had mentored dozens of Kenya Air Force pilots over the years.
“This is a huge loss to the Air Force. Maj Amondi was one of our finest,” said one KDF officer who had worked closely with him.
Emergency response teams and KAF crash investigators were quickly dispatched to the site to conduct search and recovery operations. The area was secured by police as investigations commenced.
In a statement issued on Sunday, KDF confirmed the loss and announced that a detailed investigation had been launched to establish the cause of the accident.
“With deep sadness, we confirm the passing of both pilots in the crash. Kenya Air Force has constituted and dispatched investigation teams to establish the cause of the air crash,” the statement read.
The incident adds to a worrying trend of military aircraft accidents in Kenya, many of which have been linked to the ageing fleet. Several crashes in recent years have prompted KDF leadership to push for increased funding to modernize the aircraft inventory.
As investigations continue, the nation mourns two brave souls who dedicated their lives to defending the skies. The loss of Maj Amondi, especially, leaves a gap in Kenya’s aviation training capabilities and serves as a stark reminder of the risks military personnel face daily.
