The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of seven people who died in a helicopter crash near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on Wednesday.
In a statement issued after the August 19, 2026 accident, the ministry said it was standing with the families, friends and others affected by the tragedy.
The helicopter, carrying six tourists and a pilot, crashed at around 9:13am while travelling from Loisaba towards the Ewaso Nyiro area, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
KCAA identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 and said the Air Accident Investigation Department under the Ministry of Roads and Transport had taken charge of investigations into the crash.
The accident occurred in rugged terrain near Kirish, where smoke and flames were reportedly seen shortly after the helicopter went down.
The Kenya Red Cross deployed emergency response teams as part of a multi-agency effort to reach the remote crash site.
Responders encountered challenging terrain and an active fire at the scene, prompting the deployment of an additional team from Isiolo to support the rescue and recovery operation.
Images from the crash site showed wreckage scattered across rocky terrain and vegetation, including sections of the fuselage and other aircraft components.
Because of the difficult terrain, drones were used to survey the area while ground teams worked to access the crash site.
The tragedy has attracted international attention, with authorities confirming that five of the seven victims were American citizens.
Ecuador also confirmed the deaths of its intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, who were among those aboard the helicopter.
The United States State Department confirmed the deaths of five Americans and said its embassy in Kenya was working with local authorities to provide consular assistance.
Samburu is a popular tourism destination, renowned for its wildlife conservancies, scenic landscapes and safari experiences.
KCAA said it was coordinating with relevant agencies and stakeholders following the accident and conveyed its condolences to the victims’ families.
Investigators are expected to determine the circumstances and possible cause of the crash as recovery efforts and investigations continue.
