Two Dead After AMREF Medical Flight to Hargeisa Crashes Near Nairobi

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: A medical evacuation aircraft operated by AMREF Flying Doctors crashed into a residential building in  Mwihoko area in Kenya’s Kiambu County Thursday afternoon, killing two people and injuring two others, authorities and the emergency air service confirmed.

The Cessna Citation XLS jet, registered 5Y-FDM, had departed Nairobi’s Wilson Airport at 2:17pm local time en route to Hargeisa, Somaliland, when it went down approximately 20km northeast of the city’s central business district.

Local media reported that four people were on board the aircraft. Two survivors with serious injuries were rushed to hospital, while two others died at the scene. The identities of the victims have not yet been made public.

AMREF Flying Doctors, a leading medical evacuation service in East Africa, said the aircraft was on a humanitarian mission.

“Our immediate focus is on the safety and well-being of the individuals affected, and we are providing full support to their families and colleagues,” said AMREF CEO Stephen Gitau in a statement.

Emergency responders and aviation officials cordoned off the site as black smoke billowed from the debris and residents gathered in shock. Videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes as first responders battled flames and pulled bodies from the wreckage.

Kenyan police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. AMREF said it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.