Ten Kenya Air Force (KAF) soldiers are feared dead after an 171e Air Force Helicopter crashed in Ol Tepesi area in Ngong, Kajiado County.
However, thirteen soldiers were injured and were airlifted to various hospital and are receiving treatment, 11 passengers airlifted to Defence Forces Memorial Hospital, Nairobi for specialised treatment while two are receiving treatment at Oletepes dispensary.
The soldiers who were on board of the ill-fated chopper were headed on a training mission on millitary survival tactics.
“Sadly, we have lost 10 soldiers while 13 have been taken to hospital,” Kajiado West Deputy County Commissioner Muranga Morakwa said.
According to Morakwa, the chopper prepared to land and a large whirlwind occurred causing the pilot not to see the ground.
The administrator said the chopper was on its regular and normal exercises when
the accident happened after takeoff from the Eastleigh Airbase in Nairobi yesterday
morning.
In an official military statement, KDF stated that the sky was not very clear but the helicopterhad flown past the biggest obstacle, Olorogai hill.
The chopper, according to witnesses, wobbled above the ground for several minutes before it came crashing down and burst into flames.
On board were 23 KAF soldiers including two pilots and the squad leader.
KDF spokesperson, Zipporah Kioko, said that all passengers who were on board are accounted for.
She added that the process of communicating to families to relay the information and KDF condolences was underway.
In January this year, another KAF aircraft crashed at the Tsavo East National Park in Voi Taita Taveta County killing four occupants.
According to KDF report, the aircraft model Harbin Y-12 crashed as it approached Voi Airport after the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Irima located about 9 km north from runway 18 threshold.
