Mwihoko plane crash leaves 22 families reeling from loss, displacement

Rescuers at the scne where a light aircraft crashed in a residential area in Mwihoko area, Githurai 45, Nairobi on August 7, 2025. (Photo: Courtesy)

By Mary Wambui
Friday, August 8, 2025

Speaking at the crash site on Friday morning, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi said the extent of damage to people’s homes suggested the aircraft had begun disintegrating mid-air, scattering debris into residential areas.

At least 22 families have been affected by Thursday afternoon’s crash of an AMREF Flying Doctors aircraft, which claimed the lives of all its occupants, a middle-aged man and a 13-year-old child, in the Mwihoko area of Githurai 45.

The figure was established by authorities following an assessment of the damage caused by the accident, which occurred just three minutes after the mid-size jet, a Cessna Citation XLS, took off from Wilson Airport at 2:17 pm.

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Speaking at the crash site on Friday morning, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi said the extent of damage to people’s homes suggested the aircraft had begun disintegrating mid-air, scattering debris into residential areas.

The aircraft’s engine was found lodged in one of the homes, causing extensive damage to the roof and property.

“From what we have gathered from residents, the AMREF team, the police, the nearby military barracks, local administrators and county officials, the accident appears to have affected multiple homes, implying that some disintegration occurred while the plane was still airborne. We have seen a house completely burnt to the ground, another reduced to rubble, and several others pierced by aircraft parts, catching occupants unawares,” he said.

Among the casualties were a father and a 13-year-old child. Several young students sustained broken limbs while preparing lunch with their grandmother, who was also injured. Others remain traumatised, including a parent who took her son to the hospital and has been unable to locate him since.

“We have a report of a young man whose family was affected; when they returned from the hospital, he disappeared, possibly due to trauma from the accident. He is a student, and we have agreed with the local administration, police and our networks to help trace him,” the governor added.

Governor Wamatangi noted that the tragedy could have been far worse given Mwihoko’s dense population. The area is home to Kiriri Women’s University, located just metres from the crash site, as well as multiple high-rise buildings, a military barracks, and a busy commercial centre.

He said discussions were underway with AMREF and other stakeholders on how best to assist the affected families. Most have been given temporary shelter by neighbours after their homes were destroyed. The county government, alongside well-wishers, is providing accommodation, medical treatment, and counselling, with plans to help rebuild their homes.

Since Thursday, the county has deployed counselling teams and other support services to help residents cope with their losses, as the administration works with AMREF to address longer-term recovery needs.

Meanwhile, the identities of those on board the aircraft are beginning to emerge.

Last night, AMREF confirmed that all four crew members, a captain, a first officer, a doctor, and a nurse identified as Jane, perished in the crash. Friends described Jane as a brilliant nurse and an avid traveller.

AMREF Flying Doctors CEO and Accountability Manager, Stephen Gitau, said they hoped evidence collected at the scene would help determine the cause of the tragedy.

“Up to this moment, we do not know what happened to this aircraft. It is a high-performing jet, and for it to lose contact with the control tower within three minutes of take-off is baffling. AMREF Flying Doctors maintains the highest standards of safety, maintenance and crew training. We hope to recover the black box and flight recorder so we can understand what was communicated between the captain and the tower before contact was lost,” he said.

This is the latest in a series of aircraft accidents to occur in residential areas in Kenya. On January 10 this year, a light aircraft crash-landed near Malindi Airport, killing three people on the ground.