A Eurocopter carrying six tourists and a pilot came down in rugged Samburu terrain yesterday morning, leaving no survivors
By Collins Kibet
A helicopter crash near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County yesterday morning killed all seven people on board — six tourists and the pilot — in one of Kenya’s most devastating aviation accidents in recent memory.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM. It went down at approximately 9:13 a.m. near Kirish, close to Mount Ololokwe, during a flight from the Loisaba area towards the Ewaso Nyiro region. Smoke and flames were visible at the crash site, which lies in terrain that is difficult to access and complicated recovery efforts.
Emergency and response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, were deployed to the scene. Aviation authorities launched investigations into the circumstances of the accident shortly after.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established. The Air Accident Investigation Department, operating under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, is leading the technical inquiry alongside other relevant authorities. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, flight records, weather conditions at the time of the crash and the helicopter’s maintenance history.
Mount Ololokwe is among the most recognisable landmarks in northern Kenya — a dramatic rise above the surrounding dry landscape that draws visitors for its scenery, wildlife and cultural significance to the Samburu people. Its rugged surroundings, while spectacular, present serious challenges for emergency operations.
The deaths are a painful reminder of the risks inherent in low-altitude tourist aviation, particularly in remote conservancy areas where helicopters serve as the primary link between visitors and lodges far from roads and airports. The victims had travelled to Kenya to experience its celebrated wilderness; instead, their journey ended in tragedy.
The KCAA has extended condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died. Recovery and identification of the victims remain the immediate priority as the investigation gets under way.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Opposition calls on ICC to monitor Kenya as political violence escalates
- Back to school: Ogamba tightens rules ahead of term three
- Happy Birthday: Tribute to Rev Roux Malan
- The bark without the bite: Why Kenya’s NCIC must be disbanded before it buries our democracy
- Carlos Baleba’s Manchester United dream edges closer to reality
About the Author
