Six people, including a sitting member of Kenya’s National Assembly, were killed when a helicopter crashed in western Kenya on Saturday, police and government officials said.
The aircraft went down in the Mosop area of Nandi County in the country’s North Rift region. Authorities said the cause of the crash was not immediately known, and investigations are under way.
Nandi County police commander Samuel Mukusi told Citizen TV that those killed included the pilot, the member of parliament and four other passengers. No survivors were reported.
President William Ruto identified the deceased lawmaker as Johana Ng’eno, who represented Emurua Dikirr constituency in Narok County. In a statement posted on X, Ruto expressed condolences to the victims’ families and described the crash as a tragic loss.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, the people of Emurua Dikirr, and all the victims and families affected by the helicopter crash in Mosop, Nandi County,” the president said.
Ng’eno, first elected to parliament in 2017 and re-elected in 2022, was known for his outspoken style in Kenya’s legislature. He previously served on parliamentary committees and had been active in regional development issues in Narok County.
The identities of the other passengers had not been publicly released by Sunday morning.
Kenya has experienced several aviation accidents in recent years, particularly involving light aircraft and helicopters operating in remote or rugged terrain. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and the Air Accident Investigation Department typically lead probes into such incidents, focusing on factors including weather conditions, mechanical failure and pilot experience.
Nandi County, located in the highlands west of the Great Rift Valley, is known for its hilly landscape and changing weather patterns, which can pose challenges for small aircraft operations.
Authorities said more details would be released once investigators examine the crash site and retrieve flight data and maintenance records.