Eye witnesses recount moments before chopper carrying PS, four others crashed

Eyewitnesses have recounted how a helicopter carrying Environment and Forestry Principal Secretary Festus Ngeno and four other people struggled to gain altitude, wobbled in the air and crashed moments after taking off from Kericho Golf Club on Monday.

The witnesses said the aircraft appeared unstable before tumbling onto its right side, leaving its body and tail badly damaged and prompting people at the golf club to rush towards the scene.

One of the witnesses, John Kebaso, said the helicopter had landed normally and remained at the golf club for about 30 minutes before Dr Ngeno and the other passengers boarded.

“It landed normally, but when it took off with four passengers having boarded it, it was kept on for about 10 minutes before it took off. But after a few minutes, it crashed-landed," Kebaso said.

He said the pilot had stepped out to inspect the helicopter’s tail before returning to the cockpit.

The aircraft then took an unusually long time to gather momentum before lifting off, Kebaso said.

“It took a lot of time to pick up momentum after the passengers whom we did not immediately identify boarded it,” he said.

Another eyewitness, Naomy Chepkoech, said some of the passengers managed to get out of the wreckage, while the pilot appeared to have suffered more serious injuries.

“There were four men and a woman on board at the time,” she said.

Chepkoech said she had seen many helicopters land at the golf club but could not recall a similar incident.

“We have seen so many helicopters land in this field, but there has never been a case of crash-landing that I can remember,” she said.

Alex Koech said it was fortunate that the aircraft did not catch fire after hitting the ground.

“It is quite a miracle that the helicopter did not explode upon crash-landing. But it was a very scary moment, as no one had the guts to approach it immediately,” he said.

The helicopter, registration number 5Y-FSK and owned by the Forestry Department, was extensively damaged in the crash, which occurred around midday as light rain fell.

Parts of its tail and body were separated from the main frame, while its propellers were badly damaged.

Dr Ngeno was taken to South Rift Hospital in Kericho for a medical check-up before being transferred to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, according to sources familiar with the incident. The pilot sustained injuries and was taken to South Rift Hospital for treatment.

Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Samuel Ndanyi confirmed that the helicopter had crashed-landed while taking off from the golf club after reportedly developing mechanical problems.

Ndanyi said five people were on board and no fatalities had been reported.

“We have not recorded any fatalities, but the pilot sustained some injuries and has been rushed to the South Rift Hospital in Kericho town for treatment,” he said.

He added that the helicopter was carrying Dr Ngeno and other government officers who had travelled to Kericho for an official function. Their intended destination had not been established by the time of reporting.

Police officers arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and moved to control the crowd. The area was later cordoned off, with members of the public directed away from the wreckage.

Kericho County Police Commander Kivinda Kilonzo said investigations into the crash had begun, with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority expected to take over the inquiry.

Dr Ngeno has since commented on the incident, saying, "I thank God for our safety, and I am grateful that all occupants on board the helicopter survived the incident. I sincerely appreciate the concern, prayers and messages of support received from members of the public, colleagues and friends. Thank you."

Kericho Golf Club has also witnessed an earlier aviation scare. In August 2020, then Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe abandoned a helicopter at the club and travelled to Nairobi by road after presiding over a Covid-19 containment function at Ainamoi Sub-County Hospital hosted by then Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony.