A peaceful Thursday afternoon in Mwihoko, near Githurai 45 in Kiambu County, turned into panic and confusion after a light aircraft belonging to AMREF Flying Doctors crashed into a building and burst into flames.
The aircraft had just taken off from Wilson Airport in Nairobi and was headed to Hargeisa, Somalia. It never made it past the outskirts of the city.
The crash happened just minutes after the plane took off at 2:17 PM. Witnesses said they saw the aircraft flying unusually low before hearing a loud bang. Moments later, a massive fire broke out as the plane hit a building that had not yet been occupied. An electricity line was also brought down by the impact, increasing the level of destruction.
Videos and images quickly spread online, showing a terrifying scene of fire, black smoke, and panic. Military officers and firefighters were seen working hard to put out the flames and rescue any survivors. Residents stood nearby in shock, watching as the situation unfolded. The aircraft had caught fire almost instantly after the crash, making rescue efforts extremely difficult.
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AMREF confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Cessna Citation XLS, a small medical aircraft used for emergency flights. It was carrying four people at the time of the crash. Tragically, two of them died on the spot. The other two sustained critical injuries and are currently receiving urgent medical care. The names of the victims have not yet been released to the public.
According to AMREF, the aircraft was on an important medical mission to Somalia. In a public statement, the organization expressed its deep sadness over the crash and assured that investigations were underway to find out what caused the tragic event. They added that they were fully cooperating with aviation authorities and emergency response teams and that their current focus was on supporting the families of those affected.
Residents in the area say they will never forget the sight. One woman described hearing a loud noise and running outside, only to see the wreckage in flames. “We heard a loud bang and rushed to the scene. The plane was on fire, and we could see bodies inside,” she said.
Emergency responders from Ruiru were among the first to arrive at the crash site. They managed to put out the flames, while police quickly sealed off the area to keep people away and allow investigators to work. So far, no official statement has been made by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority or the National Police Service. The public is still waiting for answers.
This incident adds to a growing number of aircraft accidents in Kenya this year. In January, another crash happened in the Chocha area of Malindi. That crash killed three people, including a boda boda rider, his passenger, and a pedestrian walking along the Malindi-Mombasa highway. In that case, the aircraft had just taken off from Malindi Airport when it developed mechanical problems. The pilot tried to land but failed, resulting in more tragic deaths.
With several plane crashes occurring in just a few months, many Kenyans are now questioning the safety of light aircraft in the country. Experts are calling for strict checks and better monitoring to prevent more accidents from happening. The fact that this latest crash involved a medical mission only adds to the heartbreak, as AMREF Flying Doctors are known for saving lives, not losing them.
Social media has been flooded with reactions, ranging from prayers and condolences to anger and calls for accountability. Many praised the firefighters and military officers who arrived quickly and tried their best to help, despite the dangers. Others demanded that the aviation authorities act fast to prevent future tragedies.
The crash site is still under investigation. Police and aviation experts are combing through debris, hoping to find clues that explain what went wrong. Weather conditions at the time seemed normal, so mechanical failure or human error are likely being considered as possible causes.
The AMREF aircraft was supposed to bring medical help to Somalia. Instead, it brought grief to families and fear to a quiet neighborhood in Mwihoko. The organization has asked for patience and privacy as the investigation continues. It has also offered support to the families of those involved.
This tragic event serves as a painful reminder of the risks involved in aviation, even for missions of mercy. As authorities continue their work, the people of Kenya, especially those in Mwihoko, are left to reflect on a terrifying day that turned an ordinary afternoon into a national tragedy.
The crash has raised urgent questions about the condition of aircraft flying over Kenyan skies, especially smaller planes that operate between towns and across borders. It has also shown the importance of fast and well-coordinated emergency responses in saving lives when every second counts.
Though the flames are now out, the pain and confusion still linger. A building was destroyed, lives were lost, and a community shaken. It will take time to recover, but the demand for answers and accountability has already begun.
As the sun set on Mwihoko that day, all that remained were burned remains of the aircraft, the smell of fuel, and a community searching for peace in the ashes of a tragedy.
