A helicopter belonging to the Kenya Forest Service crashed in central Kenya on Monday, October 12, 2026. The aircraft, registered as 5Y-FSK, was carrying five people, including Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno. The incident occurred at Kericho Golf Club in Kericho County. The Kenya Red Cross reported that their response team was on the ground, working alongside other responders at the scene, and that all persons on board had been taken to hospital for treatment.
The helicopter had barely gained altitude before it lost control and plunged back to the ground, according to witnesses at the scene. The aircraft had not climbed significantly into the sky before the sudden loss of altitude forced it down. Emergency responders and security personnel moved swiftly to extract those trapped in the wreckage. All injured occupants were subsequently transported to South Rift Hospital, where they received urgent medical attention.
The pilot of the helicopter, who sustained serious injuries, had attempted to take off despite bad weather conditions, leading to the accident, according to reports. Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Samwel Ndanyi stated that the aircraft was carrying five occupants when the incident occurred and confirmed that no fatalities were reported.
PS Ng'eno, who was among those on board, serves as the principal secretary in the ministry responsible for overseeing environment and forestry matters, the same docket under which the Kenya Forest Service operates. His presence among those involved is expected to draw significant attention to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Kenya Red Cross provided an update on the incident, stating that their response team was on the ground, working alongside other responders at the scene. All persons on board have been taken to hospital for treatment. The incident is the latest in a series of aviation accidents occurring around the globe.
Police Response and Ongoing Assessment as far as Commander Ndanyi is concerned, is that emergency and security teams remain actively engaged at the site, conducting a thorough assessment of the situation. He indicated that more conclusive information would be made available as investigations into the cause of the crash continue to unfold.
The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety, particularly in Kenya. The government and relevant authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the crash and take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The five occupants are currently undergoing treatment at South Rift Hospital.
Key points
- Five people, including Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno, survived a helicopter crash in central Kenya on October 12, 2026.
- The helicopter, registered as 5Y-FSK, belonged to the Kenya Forest Service and was carrying five occupants when the incident occurred.
- The incident is under investigation, with emergency and security teams working to determine the cause of the crash.
