A pilot and his two passengers are nursing injuries after their helicopter crashed during take-off on Monday, November 20, in Wajir.
The trio, which included a local MCA, was en route to Arbajahan in Northern Kenya County to retrieve examination papers for the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) when the incident occurred.
Photographs from the scene displayed severe damage to the helicopter’s fuselage and the complete disintegration of the cockpit. The crash caused significant damage to the rotor and its rotary wings, essential for a helicopter’s lift-off.
North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno confirmed that all three individuals received medical treatment at the hospital.
The crash is suspected to have taken place within a minute of the helicopter’s departure. Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the accident.
In other related news, a military helicopter, which had just delivered relief aid to flood-affected families in Buna Town, Wajir North Constituency, crashed seconds after takeoff.
Footage seen by sauce.co.ke captured the Russian-made Mi17 Kenya Air Force chopper spinning moments after takeoff before crashing, prompting onlookers to seek shelter.
According to police reports, the pilot and his team had dropped relief food in the area and were leaving when the incident happened at about 4pm.
The injured occupants who included the military crew are currently admitted at Buna Sub-county Hospital.
At the time of going to press, the military had not yet issued a statement as to the cause of the crash.
