It’s now emerging that a chopper which failed to take-off and crash-landed back on the ground while carrying Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen earlier today, also developed mechanical problems moments before take-off while preparing to fly ex-CS Mutahi Kagwe to Nairobi from Kericho, back in 2020.
The chopper, 5Y-PKI, on Saturday developed a mechanical problem while taking off from Mwachon in Eldama Ravine Sub-County, Baringo County. On board were four people including CS Murkomen and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Chairperson Caleb Kositany, who according to to confirmed reports, suffered no injuries.
They were attending a funeral in Eldama Ravine and were proceeding for another event when the incident happened. Another chopper was sent and they left for the next event.
Back in 2020, the same chopper forced then Health CS Mutahi Kagwe to travel to Nairobi by road after it failed to start in Kericho on 10 August.
Kagwe who had boarded the chopper at Kericho Golf Club, was forced to alight after several attempts by the pilot to ignite the engine in vain. The CS then used his official car to head back to Nairobi.
Kagwe had been on a tour of Kericho to assess the level of COVID-19 preparedness.
The chopper is allegedly owned by a politician from Central Kenya.
