Kenya Environment Official Injured in Helicopter Crash During Take-off

2026-10-12 region

Kericho, 13 October 2026
Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno and four others survived a Kenya Forest Service helicopter crash in Kericho during heavy rain on Monday, prompting safety investigations following recent fatal aviation incidents.

Details of the Kericho Incident

On Monday afternoon, 12 October 2026, an Airbus Helicopters H125—also known as the AS350B3e Ecureuil with registration number 5Y-FSK—operated by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) crashed shortly after take-off at the Kericho Golf Club in Kericho County [1][2][8]. The aircraft was carrying five individuals, including Environment Principal Secretary Festus K. Ng’eno [2][8]. Witnesses noted that the helicopter failed to gain significant altitude before losing lift and coming down near the Famous Hotel amid heavy rainfall in the region [1][2][3].

Emergency Response and Extent of Damage

Initial scene observations confirmed that the aircraft suffered severe structural damage, with the tail section completely severed from the main fuselage [1][5]. Kericho County Police Commander Kivindu Kilonzo confirmed that all five occupants survived the impact and were evacuated to South Rift Hospital in stable condition [1][2]. Local emergency services and multi-agency security personnel immediately cordoned off the site to begin preliminary air accident investigations and establish whether adverse weather or mechanical malfunction contributed to the hard landing [1][2][8].

Growing Concerns over Kenyan Aviation Safety

The Kericho mishap marks the third notable air accident in Kenya within a three-month window, placing renewed scrutiny on aviation regulatory standards during inclement weather [2]. In August 2026, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed near the summit of Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, killing all seven occupants, including high-profile passengers such as Ecuador’s intelligence chief [2]. That tragedy was followed in September 2026 by a fatal crash in the Kipeto area of Kajiado West, where a light training aircraft operated by the Kenya School of Flying went down due to low visibility caused by heavy morning mist, killing a student pilot and an instructor [1][2].

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Helicopter Crash Kericho Incident