Mwihoko, Kiambu County – August 7, 2025:
A tragic AMREF Flying Doctors air ambulance crash in Mwihoko, on the outskirts of Nairobi, has claimed six lives and left the community in shock. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. when the Cessna Citation medical aircraft, registration number 5Y-FDM, went down just minutes after taking off from Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
Flight Details and Intended Mission
The aircraft was on a humanitarian mission, headed to Hargeisa, northern Somalia, to provide emergency medical assistance. On board were two crew members and two medical professionals from AMREF Flying Doctors. Tragically, all four perished in the accident.
Crash Site and Impact on Residents
The plane crashed into a residential area in Mwihoko, Kiambu County, striking a house and causing two additional fatalities on the ground. The victims were inside the building at the time of impact. Two other residents sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud explosion followed by a fireball and thick smoke rising from the crash site. The force of the impact scattered debris over a wide area, damaging nearby buildings and causing panic among residents.
Official Statements and Emergency Response
Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula confirmed the fatalities, noting that swift emergency efforts were made to save survivors.
AMREF CEO Stephen Gitau expressed deep sorrow, stating that the organization is focused on supporting the victims’ families and cooperating with investigators.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) revealed that the plane lost both radio and radar contact three minutes after takeoff. Their Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) has deployed experts to determine the cause of the crash.
Security agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the National Police Service, and the Kenya Red Cross, were among the first responders, working to secure the area, manage crowds, and aid the injured.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are now piecing together what led to this fatal accident. Possible causes will be explored, including technical failure, weather conditions, and pilot distress. The final report will be released after thorough analysis of flight data and debris examination.
Community in Mourning
The Mwihoko community is in deep mourning, with grief counselors and local leaders offering support. A formal process of identifying victims and assisting families is ongoing.
