Amref aircraft Black Box found as families mourn crash victims

The wreckage of Amref plane being examined by Aircraft accident investigations team,on August 8, 2025 in Mwihoko Kiambu county. [Edward Kiplimo/Standard] Aircraft investigators from the Ministry of Transport have confirmed the recovery of the black box from the ill-fated Amref aircraft that crashed in Kiambu's, Mwihoko estate. Speaking at the crash site, Aircraft Accident Investigations Director Fred Kabunge said the flight data recorder was among parts of the wreckage first collected by police officers who responded to the scene. The device had been kept at a nearby police post. "We have managed to recover the recorders which will aid us in the conduct of the investigation," Kabunge said. He added that the black box will be shipped abroad, likely to the US, Canada or France, for downloading, examination and analysis. "The recorders are very critical for us as we conduct the investigation," he emphasized. Kabunge's team spent most of the day collecting debris as they worked to reconstruct the plane's final moments. He, however, raised concerns over crime scene contamination, noting that members of the public had been allowed access. Despite this, he assured Kenyans that the investigation would proceed effectively. A preliminary report is expected within 14 days, while a full report will be released in a year. If the investigation is not complete by then, an interim statement will be issued. According to Amref CEO Stephen Gitau, the aircraft was headed to Hargeisa, Somalia, to evacuate a patient. After the crash, alternative arrangements were made to rescue the patient. Among the victims was 13-year-old Yvonne Nasimiyu, who was at home preparing lunch when the plane came down. Her mother, Mercy Nafula, a single mother of three and a mitumba seller, said she had sent her daughter home to cook rice and potatoes. "She (Nasimiyu) had asked me for money to get lunch. I told her to go home and get money to buy potatoes that she was to prepare together with rice," Nafula said tearfully. She was later informed by phone that a plane had crashed into their plot and her daughter was among those killed."The person who saw her last said that she was killed while peeling the potatoes at the door to our house," she added. Nafula is now appealing for help to bury her daughter and rebuild her business, which was destroyed in the crash. Rahab Wamuyu also received tragic news while at work, her husband, James Gitau, was killed while resting at home. Gitau, a bodaboda rider, had been recuperating from a motorcycle accident sustained in December 2024. He had broken his leg and was waiting to fully recover before resuming work. His passenger was also injured, and the motorcycle remains at a local police station. The couple had moved into the house only three months ago. "I was called and told that there was an aircraft accident where I live. On my way home, I saw some ambulances heading there," said Wamuyu. "When I got here I was told that he had died and his body had been moved."The crash left both Nafula's and Wamuyu's homes in ruins, now cordoned off as part of an active investigation. The pilot of the aircraft, Captain Eric Munuve, had worked at Amref for six years and was recently promoted to fly the Cessna 5Y-FDM. After his promotion, he celebrated the achievement on LinkedIn. His family declined to speak to the media. Another victim was Amref nurse Judy Omusula, eulogized by friends as a joyful, kind, and outgoing professional. Her LinkedIn profile shows she held a Master's degree in nursing and had worked at MP Shah and Aga Khan hospitals before joining Amref in 2016.

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