Forensic investigators camp at crash site where chopper killed MP Ngeno and five others

A body after being retrieved from the scene of the accident in Nandi County 

A team of DCI forensic investigators is still camping at the site where a chopper crashed in Nandi County, killing six people, including Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno.

Area police boss Simon Muli says the team also includes an Aircraft Accident Investigation team, which has secured the area for ongoing investigations.

Muli says the scene will remain intact and secured until investigations by aviation experts are completed.

He says the company that owns the aircraft had wanted to remove the debris from the site but was asked to wait until the investigations are completed.

Muli said the company had already deployed a tractor to help carry the debris away, but the exercise was stopped.

“We asked them to wait until the investigations are completed so that they are allowed to clear the area,” said Muli.

The aircraft crashed in a forest in Mosop Constituency on Saturday evening following what initial investigations indicated was bad weather that led to poor visibility.

The pilot of the ill-fated chopper, George Were, had made an emergency landing in the area, but the chopper took off a few minutes later, after which it crashed.

Apart from the MP, others who died in the accident include Robert Kipkoech Keter, Amos Kimwetich Rotich, Nicholas Kosgei, Capt George Were and Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono.

Muli said investigations being handled by relevant authorities were ongoing to establish the cause of the crash.

Leaders from the region, led by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and his Narok counterpart Samwel Ole Ntutu, have called for calm and patience as investigations continue.

Ngeno and his team had been attending a function in Endebess and were heading to Narok when the accident occurred.

There has been speculation about the cause of the accident, with some leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, calling for an in-depth probe.

“This is a very delicate matter and we urge all leaders and Kenyans to give the investigators time to complete their work so that we can know the truth of what happened,” said Governor Sang.

The investigation team has been in the area since the accident happened, and heavy rains still pounding the region have affected access to the scene.

Sang and other leaders from the region have thanked residents for offering the necessary assistance since the time the accident occurred.

“The aircraft caught fire, and it is notable that some residents even tried to use soil to put out the fire and helped the victims,” said Governor Sang.