A helicopter has crashed at the Kericho Golf Course in Kenya amid heavy rainfall, leaving several people injured. The aircraft was carrying five people, including Environment Principal Secretary Festus K. Ng’eno. No fatalities have been reported, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
KERICHO, Kenya – A helicopter crashed at the Kericho Golf Course in Kericho County on Monday afternoon amid heavy rainfall, leaving several people on board injured, according to security officials.
Kericho County Police Commander Kivindu Kilonzo said no fatalities had been reported, although some of the helicopter’s occupants sustained injuries. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene to rescue those trapped in the wreckage and assess the situation.
Kenya’s Environment Principal Secretary, Festus K. Ng’eno, was among the passengers aboard the helicopter at the time of the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that five people were on board, including government officials and other passengers.
According to eyewitnesses, the helicopter failed to gain significant altitude after taking off. The aircraft reportedly lost height shortly after beginning its flight before crashing to the ground.
Sources indicated that the helicopter bore the registration number 5Y-FSK. However, the official cause of the crash has not yet been established, and further investigations are needed to determine the circumstances that led to the aircraft losing altitude.
The accident occurred as heavy rains swept through parts of Kericho County. Weather conditions are among the factors investigators may examine, although officials have not confirmed whether rainfall or reduced visibility directly contributed to the crash.
The injured occupants were quickly rescued from the wreckage and rushed to South Rift Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Police officials confirmed that emergency responders and security personnel were assessing the situation, gathering preliminary information and examining the crash site.
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Kilonzo said further details would be provided once the initial investigations had been completed. As of the latest available information, authorities had not released a comprehensive update on the medical condition of all the injured passengers or the full extent of the damage to the aircraft.
The Kericho incident comes amid growing concerns over aviation safety in Kenya, particularly when aircraft operate in challenging weather conditions.
In August 2026, a helicopter crash near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County reportedly claimed the lives of all seven people on board.
The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, was carrying passengers, including tourists. Reports indicated that it struck a large rock near the summit of the mountain before catching fire. The accident raised questions about helicopter safety, particularly for flights operating in mountainous areas and regions where weather conditions can change rapidly.
Although the official cause of the Kericho crash remains unknown, the incidents highlight the importance of conducting thorough investigations into aviation accidents. Investigators will need to establish whether mechanical failure, operational issues or adverse weather conditions played any role in the latest incident.
Aviation authorities are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the Kericho helicopter crash. The findings could help establish the cause of the accident and identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Investigations remain ongoing, with further official information on the cause of the crash and the condition of the injured passengers expected as authorities continue their work.
About the Author
Khadar Waasac is a reporter at Somali Report covering politics, security, business, and trade across the Somali region.
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