Mario Magonga, Deputy President William Ruto’s pilot and four other Americans died when their plane crashed into Lake Turkana, in Turkana county.
Police noted that their plane came down and killed all five on board near Lobolo in Central Island National Park at 8pm.
“Available information indicates that two helicopters had landed earlier at Lobolo tented camp on the National Park’s Island, however one managed to clear the area safely,” the National Police Service said in a statement.
Rescue team had been sent to the scene of crash to help in recovering the bodies and towing the wreckage
“The cause of the incident is yet to be established and the details of the deceased will be released once the next of kin have been notified.”
A source from KWS revealed to DN that the four tourists were being taken to the central Island before the crash.
“They were unable to land because that place is very hilly. We don’t know why they were trying to access the island at night. One of the helicopters crashed as they attempted to find their way back to Lobolo,” the source, who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to brief the media on the matter, said.
Bell 505, registration SYKDL crashed the moment it took off- The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA)
“A rescue team was dispatched immediately and they arrived at the Central Island at around 11.20pm and located the wreckage at 3.20am with no survivors,” KCAA Director-General Gilbert Kibe said in a statement.
The search of the plane and dead bodies had been done with the following wings
- KCAA Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC),
- National Police Service (Police Airwing,Turkana Police Commander),
- Kenya Wildlife Service,
- Kenya Air Force,
- Air Accident Investigation Department.
