The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has condoled with the families and loved ones of seven people who died when a helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on Wednesday.
In a statement issued following the August 19 crash, the ministry said it stood with the bereaved families, friends and others affected by the incident.
“The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife conveys its deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the seven people who tragically lost their lives in the helicopter crash in Samburu on 19 August 2026,” the ministry said.
The helicopter, carrying six tourists and a pilot, crashed near Mount Ololokwe at about 9.13am on Wednesday, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). The aircraft was flying from Loisaba to the Ewaso Nyiro area when the accident occurred.
The aircraft involved was a Eurocopter EC130 B4, according to KCAA, which said the Air Accident Investigation Department under the Ministry of Roads and Transport was leading investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The crash occurred in rugged terrain near Kirish, with smoke and flames reported at the site shortly after the aircraft went down.
The Kenya Red Cross deployed emergency response teams as part of a multi-agency operation to access the remote crash site.
On Wednesday, the agency said responders were facing difficult terrain and an active fire, while an additional team was being sent from Isiolo to reinforce the operation.
Images from the scene showed aircraft wreckage scattered across rocky ground and dense vegetation, with parts of the fuselage and other components visible among the debris.
The remote location made access difficult for responders, with drones being used to assess the crash site as ground teams worked to reach the area.
The deaths have since drawn international attention after authorities confirmed that five of those killed were American citizens.
Ecuador also confirmed the deaths of its intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife Stephany Hollihan, who were among those on board
The United States State Department has confirmed the deaths of five Americans and said the US Embassy was liaising with Kenyan authorities to provide consular assistance.
Samburu is a major tourism destination, known for its wildlife conservancies, scenic landscapes and safari activities.
KCAA said it was coordinating with relevant agencies and stakeholders following the accident and extended condolences to the families of those who died.
The Air Accident Investigation Department is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash as recovery and investigative operations continue at the site.
