By Shaban Omar
Immigration Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang has sent a message of condolence to the families of the 11 victims who perished in a tragic plane crash at Mwangoni village, Tsimba Golini in Kwale County.
The ill-fated aircraft went down on Tuesday morning at around 8:00 a.m., leaving behind a scene of devastation and grief among residents.
It was reportedly carrying tourists believed to be of foreign nationality before the tragedy struck.
Speaking shortly after visiting the crash site, Dr. Kipsang said investigations into the cause of the accident were ongoing, adding that aviation and security experts were already on the ground to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“As of now, we cannot give full details of what transpired, but the relevant agencies, including aviation authorities, are conducting thorough investigations. Once completed, the government will release a comprehensive report,” Kipsang said.
The PS confirmed that all 11 people who were on board the private jet died in the crash, but said their nationalities were yet to be officially confirmed.
“We are in prayers with all the affected families. Losing lives in such a tragic manner is painful, and as a government, we share in the grief of those who have lost their loved ones,” he added.
Local residents described the terrifying moments leading up to the crash.
Area village chairperson Hamadi Garashi said the plane appeared to lose control before circling the village and bursting into flames mid-air.
“The plane seemed unstable and was moving unusually low. Moments later, it caught fire and crashed, burning everything on board. Only a few body parts and pieces of clothing were visible,” said Garashi.
He urged the public to remain patient and avoid speculating about the cause of the crash until official reports are released.
Emergency response teams, including officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Red Cross, and the National Police Service, were deployed to the scene to help with recovery operations.
Forensic experts also joined the efforts to identify the victims and collect evidence that may help determine the cause of the crash.
