KDF Chopper Crashes In Wajir Moments After Take Off

Reports indicate that the chopper was ferrying food aid to flood victims affected by the ongoing El Nino rains.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Nov 20, 2023 - 17:25 Updated: Dec 19, 2023 - 13:16
0
KDF Chopper Crashes In Wajir Moments After Take Off
The Kenya Defence Forces Chopper which crashed in Wajir. /X

Two people have been seriously injured after a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter crashed during takeoff at Wajir Airport on Monday, November 20.

Reports indicate that the chopper was ferrying food aid to flood victims affected by the ongoing El Nino rains.

Footage circulated online showed the chopper crashing moments after takeoff. The 31-second clip which went viral showed the Mi17 Kenya Air Force chopper ascending a few feet in the air in front of residents who watched as it rapidly descended and crashed into a cloud of dust much to their horror.

Police stated that the pilot and his team had dropped relief food in the area and were leaving when the incident happened at about 4 pm.

The Kenya Defence Forces Chopper which crashed in Wajir. /X

The injured who included the crew were rushed to the local hospital with KDF yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Five military officers on board the helicopter were reportedly injured in the crash.

The incident is the second to occur in the area in a matter of hours after three people were injured when a helicopter crashed at Wajir Airport on its way to collect Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers.

North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno confirmed the incident and told reporters that the helicopter developed mechanical problems immediately after take-off.

The victims, according to reports, included a pilot and two officials who were escorting examination materials from Wajir to Abarjahan in the same area.

The three were taken to hospital where they received treatment as the cause of both crashes, even as police launched investigations into the incident, were not immediately revealed.

On Monday night, September 18, a KDF chopper crashed at Boni Forest in Lamu County.

KDF revealed at the time that the Huey Helicopter carried a crew and military personnel onboard who were carrying air surveillance over the vast forest.

Chopper crashes at Wajir Airport while on its way to collect KCSE papers on November 20, 2023. /OLE SHANGAI.X

Tags: