AMREF confirms its plane involved in Mwihoko accident
By Ascah Mwango, August 7, 2025AMREF Flying Doctors has confirmed that one of its aircraft crashed on Thursday, August 7, 2025, afternoon in a residential area in Mwihoko, Kiambu County.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, AMREF said the aircraft involved was a Cessna Citation XLS, registration 5Y-FDM. The plane had departed from Wilson Airport at 2:17 pm. and was on its way to Hargeisa, Somalia, before it went down just minutes after takeoff.
“Our immediate focus is on the safety and well-being of those on board and providing full support to their families and colleagues,” Stephen Gitau, CEO and Accountable Manager at AMREF Flying Doctors, said.
The organisation said it is working closely with aviation authorities and emergency teams to determine the cause of the crash.
“At this time, we are cooperating fully with relevant aviation authorities and emergency response teams to establish the facts surrounding the situation,” Gitau said.
He further assured the public that AMREF would continue to assist the affected families and cooperate fully with investigators.
“We are also offering all necessary assistance to the authorities as investigations continue,” the statement added.
Gitau asked for patience as the situation unfolded, promising that all verified information would be released through official channels.
“Further information will be provided as soon as it is confirmed. We respectfully ask for patience and understanding as we manage this evolving situation with care and accuracy. All official updates will be shared through AMREF Flying Doctors’ official website and social media channels,” the statement read further.
Fire
The impact destroyed part of a home and triggered a fire that spread rapidly.
The Kenya Red Cross was among the first to confirm the incident, stating that emergency response teams were dispatched immediately.
“A chopper has reportedly crashed in a residential area in Mwihoko, Kiambu County. Response teams are en route to the scene,” the organisation said in a brief update on X.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. Several residents reported that the aircraft appeared to spin out of control before crashing and exploding on impact. Some claimed to have seen people on board trying to escape with parachutes, but the fire that engulfed the wreckage left no room for survival.
Thick smoke rose into the sky, visible from kilometres away, as emergency crews and residents rushed to the site. Firefighters from Kiambu County were able to stop the fire from spreading to more homes.
Security personnel, including the military and police, arrived shortly after the crash and sealed off the area to allow emergency workers to continue their operations safely. The number of people on board at the time of the crash remains unknown as investigations continue.