Mwihoko Tragedy: AMREF Medical Plane Crashes into Homes, Killing Six

Mwihoko, Kiambu County – August 8, 2025 — A somber mood engulfed the Mwihoko area of Githurai on Thursday after a light aircraft operated by AMREF Flying Doctors crashed into a cluster of residential houses, killing at least six people and leaving a trail of devastation in one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Kiambu County.

The aircraft, which reportedly developed mechanical trouble mid-flight, came down in the early afternoon hours and exploded on impact, engulfing several homes in flames. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying fireball, followed by cries for help as residents scrambled to rescue victims trapped under debris.

“The plane came down fast. There was a loud bang and then fire everywhere,” said Stephen Ndung’u, a local boda boda rider who witnessed the crash.

Emergency Response Hampered by Crowds

The crash triggered an immediate deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel, police officers, and Nairobi County and Kiambu firefighters, who raced to the scene. However, rescue operations were severely hampered by crowds of onlookers, many of whom rushed to the crash site to take photos and videos on their smartphones.

Security officials struggled to cordon off the area, with narrow access roads further complicating the movement of ambulances and fire trucks.

“The crowds were unmanageable,” said a police officer at the scene. “People were recording, not helping. We had to physically push them back to allow emergency crews through.”

Investigations Underway

Authorities confirmed that a full investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched, involving the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and the Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID). Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft may have suffered an engine failure, but officials emphasized that no conclusions would be drawn until formal findings are released.

AMREF Flying Doctors—one of Africa’s leading air ambulance services—has yet to issue a comprehensive statement but said it is cooperating fully with investigators and prioritizing support for affected families.

Calls for Airspace Regulation and Disaster Preparedness

In the aftermath of the tragedy, local leaders and aviation experts have called for stricter regulation of low-flying aircraft over residential zones and better public awareness about disaster response.

“This disaster exposes gaps in both air traffic control and ground-level emergency readiness,” said Peter Kamau, a Kiambu MCA. “We must rethink flight paths and improve how communities respond to crises.”

The incident has reignited public concern over the proximity of air traffic corridors to informal settlements and housing estates around Nairobi, many of which fall under active flight paths used by helicopters, small planes, and medical evacuation teams.

Why This Matters

Concern	Implication
Air Safety	Sparks debate over route safety and technical checks for emergency aircraft.
Urban Density & Infrastructure	Shows the challenge of navigating narrow, crowded streets during rescues.
Crisis Management	Highlights the urgent need for crowd control and disaster training in estates.
Community Education	Demonstrates the importance of public awareness during emergencies.

 

The Human Toll

The six confirmed fatalities include residents of the homes struck by the aircraft. At least four other individuals were injured, some critically, and have been admitted to nearby hospitals in Kiambu and Nairobi. Psychological support is also being mobilized for affected families.

As investigators work to piece together what went wrong, one thing is clear: this tragedy will leave a permanent scar on Mwihoko—and raise long-overdue questions about aviation safety, disaster response, and the cost of inaction.