A routine medical flight turned into tragedy on Thursday after a small aircraft crashed into a residential block near Nairobi, Kenya.
Officials confirmed at least six people dead and two others badly injured in the afternoon crash at Ruiru, Kiambu County.
The aircraft, a Cessna Citation XLS operated by Amref Flying Doctors, left Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 2:17 pm local time. It was headed for Somaliland but went down shortly after 3:00 pm.
Witnesses Describe the Horror
“We have lost four people, including the pilot… it was all fatal,” Kiambu County commissioner Henry Wafula said.
He explained that two people in the house where the plane landed also died. Two more on the ground suffered serious injuries.
Eyewitness Tasha Wanjira said, “The plane started burning while in the air,” before it plunged into the neighbourhood.
Another resident, Irene Wangui, recalled, “The plane passed by our building shaking it… there were body parts littered all over.”
Rescue workers combed through twisted debris as hundreds of residents gathered in shock. Some sobbed, others clung to neighbours for comfort.
Residents Count Their Losses
Margaret Wairimu’s home was destroyed. “I have lost everything, thank God my children were not around,” she wept.
Amref Flying Doctors CEO Stephen Gitau confirmed the crash but gave no technical details. “Our focus is on the safety and well-being of those on board,” he said, promising more information as facts emerge.
Founded in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa, Amref is a key provider of emergency air medical services across the region.
The tragedy came barely a day after Ghana lost eight people — including its defence and environment ministers — in a military helicopter crash.
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