A Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter crashed on Thursday afternoon, August 7, in the Mwihoko area of Githurai.People nearby said they heard a loud bang at around 3:10 p.m., followed by thick smoke rising from a nearby bush.
Emergency responders, including firefighters, the Kenya Red Cross, and KDF officers, quickly arrived at the scene. Locals who got there first said they saw fire and bodies, but the exact number of people who died or got injured has not been confirmed yet.
Reports indicate that the helicopter was on a routine training flight when the accident occurred. Although the KDF has not given an official statement, early reports suggest the crash could have been caused by a mechanical problem or bad weather.
The military has closed off the area while the investigation continues.
This crash has raised new questions about the safety of military aircraft in Kenya. It comes just a few years after another deadly KDF helicopter crash in Kajiado in 2021.
The Ministry of Defence is expected to give more information soon. Meanwhile, the public has been asked to stay away from the crash site so that rescue and recovery work can go on without problems.
