Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi has survived a frightening crash landing at Wilson Airport on Friday evening, raising urgent questions about the airport’s safety and emergency preparedness.
Osotsi was among 39 passengers on a Safarilink flight from Kisumu International Airport, which veered off the runway at 8:55 PM, according to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
The authority confirmed that all passengers and crew, including three staff members and the pilot, were safe and that no injuries were reported.
The aircraft remains on site as recovery operations continue, while airport operations proceeded normally.
“I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident at Wilson Airport this evening,” Osotsi said.
He praised the pilot for his quick thinking in controlling the aircraft and steering it off the runway, preventing what could have been a catastrophic fire.
Despite the successful maneuver, Osotsi criticized the lack of emergency response.
“There was no ambulance on site and no emergency response team came to our aid. This level of unpreparedness is unacceptable for an airport of such significance,” he said.
The incident comes just days after Osotsi raised safety concerns at the Senate regarding deteriorating infrastructure at Wilson Airport.
He noted that the runway was flooded and the lighting system was faulty, conditions that often force flights to divert to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in the evenings.
“These events reinforce the urgent need for action. It is alarming that this flight was allowed to land under such conditions,” he added.
In response, Osotsi called for the temporary closure of Wilson Airport until comprehensive upgrades are completed.
“Wilson Airport must be closed and comprehensively upgraded to meet international safety standards before it is allowed to resume full operations. The safety of Kenyans and all air passengers must never be compromised,” he said.
Passengers on board described moments of panic as the aircraft skidded off the wet runway. Many credited the pilot’s decisive actions for averting disaster.
Aviation analysts say the incident highlights systemic issues, including aging infrastructure and inadequate emergency preparedness at domestic airports.
KAA, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high safety standards while investigations into the cause of the runway excursion continue.
This latest incident has intensified national debate over airport safety, with calls for stricter oversight and infrastructure investment to prevent similar near-miss events in the future.