Kenya and Somalia have agreed on a joint investigation into the aircraft crash that killed six people, two Kenyan pilots and four Somali nationals.
The Kenya-registered aircraft, 5Y-AXO, belonging to African Express crashed in Bardere, Somalia as it approached the airport on Monday, May 4, under unclear circumstances.
Following the incident, Somalia President Mohamed Farmajo, contacted President Uhuru Kenyatta, to inform him that his country has commenced investigations to establish what led to the plane crash.
“In this regard, President Farmajo invited the Kenyan civil aviation authorities to team with their Somalia counterparts with a view to completing the investigations expeditiously,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Tuesday, May 5.
Kenya had demanded an investigation to establish if and why the plane was shot down.
“The President further welcomed President Farmajo’s invitation to Kenya’s civil aviation authorities to join in the investigation into the aircraft crash emphasizing the need to swiftly, but thoroughly conclude the process,” said Foreign Affairs ministry.
The plane was carrying coronavirus supplies, having departed from Mogadishu, then briefly stopped in the city of Baidoa before flying to Bardare town where it crashed a short distance from the airport.
The Kenyan victims have been identified as Captain Mabruk Islam Sherman and Omar Chiraghdin from Mombasa County.
