Govt Speaks After Isaac Mwaura's Chopper Forced To Make Emergency Landing

Government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura on Wednesday, May 8 announced that a chopper he was travelling in had to make an emergency landing in Kiambu County.

In a statement, he revealed that the helicopter that was carrying him and Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Idriss Ahmed had to land in Kikuyu over concerns regarding the people on board.

Mwaura indicated that poor weather conditions were present in the area, thus he and Ahmed were unable to continue with their journey.

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura meets locals after his chopper was forced to make an emergency landing in Kiambu County on May 8, 2024. /SPOKESPERSONGOK

"The Spokesman Hon Dr. Isaac Mwaura is safe. The helicopter plane that he & Idriss Ahmed the Kenya Red Cross SG were using from Nyando had to make an emergency landing in Gishungo, Kikuyu Constituency due to poor weather conditions," Mwaura's office stated in part on X.

The two had gone to Nyando to give relief to affected people in the area.

"Issuing the Daily Floods Situation Update from Nduru Secondary School in Nyando Constituency, Kisumu County, and also Leading the distribution of Non-Food Items to 441 Floods Affected Persons (FAPs), who have been affected by the overflow of River Nyando.

"The Government is collaborating with the County Government of Kisumu and the Kenya Red Cross in responding to the humanitarian emergency across the country. The NFIs include a Kitchen set, blankets, a mini tent, a water purifier, bar soap, blankets, mosquito nets, dignity pack, lesso, and torch," the office of the Gov't spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday evening. 

He thanked God for the safety of all those who were on board the chopper, further thanking Kenyans for the concerns they had expressed.

Mwaura's remarks came after reports surfaced over the incident involving the chopper which was ferrying him to Kisumu to examine the recent flooding in the area.

This now brings to light concerns regarding an increase in chopper incidents involving high-ranking officials.

In March this year, a helicopter carrying Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen was attempting to take off at Mwachon in Baringo County only to crash back to the ground.

The CS was in the company of longtime ally and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) board chairman Caleb Kositany when the accident occurred. The two were leaving for Migori at the time.

The latest chopper incident claimed the life of former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla and other senior military officials in Elgeyo Marakwet.

Investigations are ongoing over the incident, with a report expected in the coming months.