Families of helicopter crash demand DNA tests

Families of helicopter crash victims whose bodies are yet to be retrieved from Lake Nakuru are demanding DNA tests to help them identify recovered body parts.

Florence Nyambura, the mother of John Mapozi, said she had high expectations that the tests would be done to allow the family conduct burial.

She said officers in charge of operation informed her last month that tests would be conducted in January, but she had not received any official communication.

The ill-fated helicopter owned and operated by Flex Air Charters was involved in the crash on October 21, 2017.

Those who died in the crash included Mapozi, Veronicah Muthoni, Anthony Kipyegon, Apollo Malowa (pilot) and Sam Gitau.

The bodies of Mapozi and Gitau are yet to be recovered. Rescuers, however, recovered some body parts.

Speaking to The Standard, Ms Nyambura said they could not ascertain how long they would wait for the tests to be done.

The mother added that they had been informed a mass service would also be conducted at a selected venue for the victims of the tragic crash.

“I was told some body parts were recovered. That is the only hope that I have as it would help me accept death of my son, if the tests turn out positive,” said the mother.

In December, she said, officials in charge of the exercise informed families of the victims that the exercise had been postponed because of the festivities.

An investigating officer, who requested anonymity, told The Standard that they collected parts of an abdomen believed to belong to one of the victims.

Gitau’s father William Ngugi said he visited police offices on January 3 and was told he would be contacted later for DNA tests.

"The police said they would contact me. I am still waiting," he said.