Wreckage after the Chopper Crash
A helicopter crash in Chepkiep, Mosop Sub-County, Nandi County, on Saturday evening claimed the lives of six people, including Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno.
The aircraft reportedly attempted an emergency landing before bursting into flames at around 4:45 pm.
Authorities confirmed that Ng’eno, the legislator representing Narok County’s Emurua Dikirr Constituency, was among the deceased.
Personal items, including his mobile phone and SIM card, were recovered at the scene. Belongings linked to another passenger associated with the Kenya Forestry Service were also found.
Officials continued verifying the identities of the remaining occupants, including the pilot.
The helicopter, an Airbus Helicopters H125 with registration 5Y-DSB, had departed Nairobi earlier in the day, likely from Wilson Airport, at approximately 11:02 am.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and law enforcement agencies are investigating the cause of the crash.
Aviation experts note that the Rift Valley’s high-altitude terrain poses unique challenges.
Much of the region sits between 1,500 and over 2,500 metres above sea level, where reduced air density affects engine output, rotor lift, and overall helicopter performance.
Pilots must carefully consider factors such as density altitude, temperature, humidity, and payload weight, as high-elevation environments leave little room for error.
Weather conditions can further complicate flights. Fog, mist, haze, and low cloud cover are common in elevated Rift Valley zones, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of spatial disorientation or controlled flight into terrain.
Past incidents, such as the 2012 police helicopter crash in Ngong Hills, underscore these risks, though authorities have not linked previous crashes to this particular aircraft.
Investigators have also confirmed that the helicopter involved in Saturday’s crash is owned by businessman Samuel Kamau Macharia, founder of Royal Media Services, and is often leased for private and political engagements.
Authorities continue to reconstruct the flight’s final moments and determine the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.