Editor's Review

KDF said recovery efforts were underway.

Two Kenya Air Force officers tragically lost their lives on Saturday, June 14, after their aircraft crashed in the Ndavaya area of Kinango, Kwale County.

The incident was confirmed by County Commissioner Stephen Orinde who noted that investigations into the cause of the crash are still underway.

According to a statement released by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the fatal accident occurred during a routine training mission.

“Earlier today, 14th June 2025, a Kenya Airforce Grob 120A aircraft experienced an emergency while on a training flight in the general area of Mwakijembe Primary School, Ndavaya, Kwale County,” the statement read.

KDF further confirmed that there were two pilots on board the aircraft at the time of the crash, and recovery efforts were underway.

“On board were two pilots. Recovery is ongoing,” the military added.

File image of the ill-fated Kenya Air Force plane

This comes over a year after a Kenya Air Force Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) helicopter carrying Chief of the Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla crashed shortly after takeoff. 

The helicopter had departed from Cheptulel Boys High School as part of a mission to visit security troops in the North Rift region and was en route to the Defence Forces Recruits Training School in Eldoret. 

Approximately two minutes into the flight, the aircraft suffered a catastrophic malfunction and went down in a community farm near Sindar Village in Elgeyo Marakwet County. 

The helicopter burst into flames upon impact.

The crash resulted in the deaths of General Ogolla and nine other military personnel; two soldiers survived but sustained serious injuries. 

The tragedy shocked the nation and prompted an immediate investigation by a Board of Inquiry established by the Kenya Defence Forces.

According to the Board of Inquiry report released on April 11, 2025, the crash was caused by an engine compressor stall, also referred to as a surge. 

Technical data and witness accounts indicated that a loud bang emanated from the engine, followed by an overheat warning on the Measured Gas Temperature (MGT) gauge, which spiked beyond 914 degrees Celsius just before the helicopter lost power.

The final determination of the crash was that it resulted from an engine malfunction, specifically a compressor stall that led to a total power failure and subsequent loss of control.