Revealed: Final moments of crashed Kenyan helicopter

By Standard Digital Reporter

Details of the final moments before the Kenyan helicopter crash in Ngong began emerging as the Kenyan government ordered for a full investigation into the cause of the accident.

A special meeting chaired by President Kibaki and attended by ministers and assistant ministers was told of how the aircraft was lost on the radar moments before crashing in a forest and bursting into flames killing all occupants.

Transport Minister Amos Kimunya told colleagues that the Euro copter model AS 350 registered in Kenya as 5Y CDT operated by police Air wing division left Wilson Airport at 8.32am local time en-route to Ndhiwa with six people on board.

"Evidence gathered so far can only trace five minutes when the aircraft left Wilson Airport at 8.32am and 8.37am Kenyan time, then communication was lost," the minister said.

“It had full passenger capacity allowable on board. Flight was normal for five minutes… till when it was leaving Wilson Airport and was being handed over to another frequency 118.5 and they confirmed it had picked up the new frequency,” Kimunya said.

“ The last video tracking confirmed that the last communication recorded for five minutes only and that is when it lost communication with control tower,” Kimunya added.

Kimunya cautioned against sensational reporting on accident asking media to be professional and to wait for investigation results.

“Investigations are on-going as we try to piece together evidence of what could have caused the crash.

He said the helicopter was relatively new and had done under 100 hours of flight and the weather was normal.

During his speech President Kibaki ordered for full investigations into the cause of the accident which claimed the six lives among them internal Security minister Saitoti, Ojodeh, pilots captain Nancy Gituanja and Captain Luke Oyugi, bodyguards Inspector Joshua Tonkei and Sergeant Thomas Murimi.

Said Kibaki: “This is a sad moment for our country, following Monday’s tragic helicopter crash.”

“As we embark on thorough investigations on the cause of the crash, I appeal to all Kenyans to remain calm. I assure you all of full investigations, and the Kenyan public will be informed appropriately.” Kibaki added

“Hon. Prof. George Saitoti and Hon Orwa Ojode were highly respected Members of Parliament who served our nation diligently. We will greatly miss their services to our nation.”

The Head of State described them as patriots and committed public servants. At this moment the best honour we can bestow upon them is rededicate ourselves to maintaining peace and security in our country.

“The two departed colleagues were steadfast in promoting peace around our country. Let us stay on this path that they always cherished.” He said.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka joined the Cabinet special session on the helicopter tragedy, which was beamed live on TV from KICC.

Raila said the Sunday accident was a tragic and a sad day for the country. “Our pilot conveyed the message from control tower of an accident in Kajiado. We were in shock…we were airborne at the time and remained tightlipped throughout the entire time till we landed.”

“ Immediately after landing we cancelled all our plans for the day. In the meantime,people with me asked me to stop using a chopper but I kept telling them that was just an accident and we need no to fear. "

We he headed for the crash scene but there a was a big crowd but police helped past the crowd to the place where the tragedy occured,” Raila added.

“It was a terrible sight behold! We could only recognize the tail of the chopper. The site was scary and littered with the charred remains of the bodies. We could not identify the bodies of our lost colleagues either,” Raila told pensive MPs.

He went on, “That is what happened to our colleagues. But all of tremember that four yeas ago on the same date a terrible coincidence happened. We lost a minister (kipkalya Kones) and an assistant minister (Lorna Laboso). At times like these suspicion and emotions are very high and we should provide leadership in unity.”

The PM asked all leaders to give direction to the country. "We condole with all family members of those who died. We are mourning all the six including our parliamentary colleagues."

Raila recounted his last moments with Saitoti and Ojodeh who were in very jovial mood at the Coast during the peace confrence and how they joked.

"I told him George you have broken the code here.. why are you in a neck tie? We asked him to remove his tie and become casual like the rest of us," the PM recounted.

“He was very passionate about the job ahead in terms reforming the police. Saitoti spoke for long…it is like he had a premonition about what was awaiting him...He underscored that we all need to ensure we have a peaceful election.” Raila told the gathering.