A pilot and other occupants were involved in a helicopter crash at Kericho Golf Club in Kericho County on Monday, October 12, after the aircraft reportedly lost lift shortly after take-off.
Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno was among those aboard the helicopter, registration number 5Y-FSK. Six people were on board when the incident occurred, while Kericho County Police Commander Kivindu Kilonzo said no fatalities had been reported.
According to eyewitness accounts, the helicopter had landed at the golf club earlier in the morning and dropped off the PS and some of the occupants before departing with other passengers. The destination of the aircraft during that trip was not immediately established.
The helicopter later returned to the golf club to pick up Ng’eno and the other occupants. However, witnesses said the aircraft took an unusually long time to gain momentum during the attempted take-off, despite prolonged efforts by the pilot.
The difficulties reportedly prompted the PS and the other occupants to disembark as the pilot made further attempts to get the helicopter airborne.
After several trials, the helicopter eventually lifted off the ground but came down shortly afterwards, reportedly from a height of about three metres. The impact allegedly threw the pilot out of the aircraft, leaving him injured.
The injured occupants were rescued and rushed to South Rift Hospital for medical attention. The extent of their injuries had not been independently established by the time of publication.
The damaged helicopter remained at the golf club as emergency and security teams responded to the incident. Eyewitnesses suspected a mechanical problem, citing the aircraft’s reported difficulty gaining lift before the crash. Heavy rains were also reported in the area, although no official cause had been confirmed.
Following the incident, Ng’eno and his team were reportedly driven to Kisumu, where they boarded another flight to Nairobi.
The crash is expected to be investigated to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine what caused the helicopter to lose lift shortly after taking off.
