A Kenya Forest Service (KFS) helicopter carrying five people crashed while attempting to take off at Kericho Golf Club on Monday afternoon, prompting an emergency response at the scene.
The aircraft, registration number 5Y-FSK, reportedly lost altitude shortly after take-off before crashing without gaining significant height, according to Kericho County Police Commander Kivindu Kilonzo.
Reports indicated that Environment Principal Secretary Festus K. Ng’eno was among those aboard the helicopter, although his presence on the aircraft had not been independently confirmed in the initial account.
The Kenya Forest Service confirmed that the helicopter belonged to the agency and said everyone on board was safe, averting what could have been a major tragedy.
Helicopter’s Tail Section Severed in Crash
Images obtained by this publication showed the damaged aircraft lying on a grassy field at Kericho Golf Club, with its tail section severed from the main fuselage.
The helicopter was painted green and white, with registration markings identifying it as 5Y-FSK.
Emergency responders, security personnel and bystanders gathered at the scene shortly after the crash as authorities assessed the situation and began establishing what had happened.
Kilonzo said emergency teams were examining the scene, adding that further details would be provided as investigations progressed.
The circumstances that caused the helicopter to lose altitude during take-off had not been established in the initial reports.
KFS Confirms All Five Occupants Safe
The confirmation that all five occupants survived the incident brought relief following the crash, particularly amid reports that a senior government official could have been among those on board.
Authorities are expected to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the incident as investigations continue.
The findings will be important in determining whether the crash resulted from a technical problem, operational difficulties or other factors affecting the aircraft during take-off.
No definitive cause had been established at the time of reporting.
Kericho Crash Follows Fatal Samburu Helicopter Accident
The incident comes amid renewed attention to helicopter safety following a separate fatal crash near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on August 19.
That accident claimed the lives of all seven people aboard, prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
According to the Air Accident Investigation Department’s reported findings, a landing skid struck a rock during a turn near the summit, causing the helicopter to lose control and catch fire.
The seven fatalities made the Samburu incident a stark reminder of the risks associated with helicopter operations, particularly in challenging terrain.
Although the Kericho and Samburu crashes involved separate incidents, the latest accident is likely to draw further attention to aircraft safety, maintenance and operational procedures.
Investigators will now seek to establish what caused the KFS helicopter to crash at Kericho Golf Club and determine whether any safety concerns need to be addressed.
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