Two people lost their lives after a light aircraft crashed at Kedong Ranch in Naivasha on Thursday evening.
Naivasha OCPD Charles Mwai confirmed the incident, stating that rescue efforts were launched but were hampered by difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) also confirmed the accident, which occurred at approximately 5:14 PM.
“KCAA regrets to confirm that an aircraft accident occurred late yesterday at Kedong Ranch, Naivasha, involving a Cessna 185 aircraft,” the authority stated.
According to KCAA, both occupants of the aircraft did not survive. The initial report was made by a member of the public who alerted the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC).
Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft took off from Wilson Airport around 1:30 PM, heading to Mbaruk. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Rescue operations extended into the night, with authorities indicating that efforts would resume on Friday morning. The crash site was secured as investigators examined the wreckage to determine what led to the accident.
This incident adds to a series of light aircraft crashes in the country. Earlier this month, three people died when a plane crash-landed and burst into flames in the Kwa Chocha area of Malindi. The aircraft had taken off from Malindi Airport but developed mechanical problems. The pilot attempted an emergency landing, but the plane crash-landed along the Malindi-Mombasa Highway, claiming the lives of two boda boda riders and a pillion passenger.
Despite the impact, the pilot, a flight attendant, and a student survived with minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
KNA
