Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno was among five people who survived a helicopter crash at Kericho Golf Club on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred after a series of troubled take-off attempts, according to witnesses. Kericho County Police Commander Kivida Kilonzo confirmed that no fatalities had been reported, but one of the occupants was taken to South Rift Hospital for treatment.
The helicopter, registration 5Y-FSK, crashed moments after lifting off from the golf club, scattering wreckage across the grounds. The aircraft's rotor blade was broken, and its tail section was extensively damaged. A strong smell of aviation fuel lingered at the scene as emergency teams moved in to secure the area. Ng'eno and the other occupants received medical attention at South Rift Hospital before he was transferred to Kisumu for further treatment.
Witnesses reported that the helicopter experienced difficulties during several attempts to take off. Local caddie John Kebaso said he watched the aircraft make an unsteady landing before it began shaking lightly on the ground. The pilot later returned to the helicopter and was seen arguing with people nearby before the engines roared continuously for nearly 10 minutes.
Another eyewitness, Alex Koech, said the helicopter had experienced difficulties even before the take-off attempts witnessed by Kebaso. Ground crews and the pilot spent about 40 minutes trying to start the aircraft after it initially refused to start properly. The helicopter eventually fired up and lifted briefly before circling and returning.
The prolonged struggle to start the helicopter left those at the golf club increasingly concerned. Eventually, the helicopter took off again, carrying three men and one woman, according to Koech's account. The aircraft remained airborne for about 20 minutes or more after an earlier short flight lasting roughly five minutes.
Another caddie, Mercy Chepkorir, said the helicopter had earlier arrived at the golf club and dropped off several people before remaining on the ground with its engines running for an extended period. She said the aircraft later took off briefly, hovered, and returned to the golf course, where it remained for about 40 minutes before the fatal take-off attempt.
The crash has raised questions over the decision to make another take-off attempt after witnesses reported earlier starting difficulties, prolonged engine running, and an aborted flight. Authorities were expected to investigate the cause of the crash. The incident has also raised concerns about aviation safety in Kenya.
Key points
- The helicopter crash occurred after a series of troubled take-off attempts.
- Five people, including Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno, survived the crash.
- Authorities will investigate the cause of the crash.
