Makueni doctor, flight instructor killed in Taveta plane crash

The wreckage of a plane that crashed at Vuria Hill on Monday evening. 

Two people died on Monday evening in an aircraft crash in Mwalashi village, Vuria Hill, authorities have confirmed.

The aircraft is believed to be a C172 Caravan Reg No. 5Y CFE that was being operated by Flying Training Centre (FTC) and had two passengers on board.

Two staff badges belonging to Dr Athman Lugogo of the Makueni County Referral Hospital and Esther Kamande of the Kenya Airports Authority were at the scene in Taita Taveta county.

Makueni Health executive Dr Andrew Mulwa has described Dr Lugogo as an extremely dependable and committed professional.

“His contribution to the health of the people of Makueni will be dearly missed.”

The staff badges of Makueni hospital Dr Athman Lugogo and KAA flight instructor Esther Kamande found at the crash scene in Vuria Hill.

Dr Mulwa went on, “On behalf of the Department of Health, the Government of Makueni County I wish to convey our sincere condolences to his family, friends, the Makueni health fraternity, the Lower Eastern Bikers, the Aviation team and the Kenyan Doctors’ family.”

The light fixed-wing aircraft took off from Wilson Airport in Nairobi on Monday at 1830hrs en route to Mombasa and is said to have crashed at around 1930hrs.

Vuria Hill is the highest peak in Taita Taveta County. 

The scene of the crash in Vuria Hill, Taita Taveta county, on Monday evening.

Police officers and Red Cross officials are at the scene which has since been sealed off.

The incident comes just a day after a chopper that had flown ODM leader Raila Odinga to a function crashed as it tried to lift off at Kudho Primary School in Gem, Siaya County

According to Raila’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango, the helicopter, Bell 407 registration 5Y-PSM was trying to create space for other choppers when it went down.

A video of the incident shows the chopper tilting before hitting the ground.

The accident left the pilot with slight injuries.