At least six people have been killed after a Cessna Citation XLS jet crashed into a residential area in Mwihoko, Kiambu County, just outside the Kenyan capital on Thursday afternoon (7 August 2025).
The aircraft, operated by AMREF Flying Doctors, had taken off from Nairobi at 2:17pm and was en route to Somaliland when it came down approximately 40 minutes later, crashing into several buildings and sparking a major emergency response.
Victims Confirmed
According to Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula, the crash claimed the lives of:
- Four people on board the plane, including the pilot
- Two civilians who were inside a house struck by the aircraft
Commissioner Wafula added that two other people were seriously injured and are receiving emergency medical care.
Initial reports from the Kenya Red Cross mistakenly identified the aircraft as a helicopter, but this was later clarified to be a fixed-wing medical aircraft.
Cause of Crash Unknown
The cause of the crash remains unclear. In a statement, AMREF Flying Doctors confirmed that the aircraft was one of theirs and said:
“We are cooperating fully with relevant aviation authorities and emergency response teams to establish the facts surrounding the situation.”
Rescue and Recovery Efforts Underway
Emergency responders from the Kenya Red Cross, local fire and rescue services, and aviation authorities rushed to the scene. Images from Mwihoko show rescue workers sifting through rubble, with the mangled remains of the jet scattered among destroyed homes.
Crowds gathered around the wreckage as smoke rose from the impact site. The crash caused significant damage to multiple buildings in the densely populated neighbourhood.
Aviation Authorities Investigating
Kenya’s Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) has been notified and is expected to launch a full inquiry into the circumstances of the crash. Black box recovery and site analysis are expected in the coming days.
