- A police helicopter carrying victims of the Elgeyo Marakwet landslide almost crashed during takeoff
- The helicopter had earlier carried Home Affairs Minister Kipchumba Murkomen during his visit to the disaster area
- No injuries were reported, but the mechanical failure has raised safety concerns as rescue efforts continue
There was panic in Elgeyo Marakwet after a police helicopter transporting landslide survivors experienced a technical fault while trying to take off.
Source: Facebook
According to a video circulating on social media, the white helicopter, marked with police stripes and registration number 5Y-SFA, was seen taking off before it suddenly lost balance and hit the ground hard on its wheels.
Witnesses said the helicopter appeared to be struggling to gain speed before it plummeted, causing panic among onlookers.
The plane was reportedly used to rescue victims of new landslides in the Kibendo area of Keiyo North, where a rock fell, killing two people and injuring three others.
Did the police helicopter transport Kipchumba Murkomen?
The same helicopter had earlier transported the Minister of Interior Dating Murkomen to the area when he visited the site of the previous landslide that killed more than 20 people.
In pictures shared on Murkomen’s social media pages, the Minister was seen disembarking from the same helicopter with other officials, while the victims were airlifted from the disaster area to the hospital for treatment.
No injuries were reported in the latest incident, although it has raised concerns about ongoing rescue operations in the rocky area, which has been hit by heavy rains and landslides several times in the past week.
Elgeyo Marakwet landslides cause more deaths
TUKO.co.ke earlier reported that the death toll from the Elgeyo Marakwet landslide has risen to 30, with several people still missing as rescue teams battle the bad weather in Kerio Valley.
Also read
Victor Kemboi: The body of a missing student with one past partner was found in the forest
The latest incident occurred on Sunday night, October 2, when a rock fell in Kibendo, Keiyo North, killing two people and injuring three others.
Murkomen confirmed the deaths, warning that heavy rains continued to endanger communities on unstable slopes.
Murkomen sent his condolences to the affected families and commended security officials, management, the Kenya Red Cross, and the county government for their quick response to the disaster.
He urged residents in areas affected by landslides to stay alert and move to safer areas, adding that chiefs and deputy chiefs had been instructed to evacuate those at risk. Acting County Commissioner Julius Maiyo said local officials and villagers worked throughout the night to rescue those stuck in the rubble.
Four more bodies were later found in the Chesongoch area, bringing the death toll to 30. Rescuers said 21 people were still missing, while 26 injured victims were airlifted to nearby hospitals.
Source: Facebook
How Murkomen survived the 2024 Baringo helicopter crash
In March 2024, Murkomen and then Kenya Airports Authority chairman Caleb Kositany were involved in a helicopter crash in the Mwachon area of Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.
The two were leaving a funeral in Torongo when their helicopter, which was carrying four people, experienced technical problems and crashed while trying to take off.
Following the incident, another helicopter was sent to pick up Murkomen and his team, allowing them to continue with their next planned event in Migori.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
