A helicopter crashed in western Kenya on Saturday, killing six people, including a sitting member of parliament.
The aircraft went down minutes after takeoff, bursting into flames in a hilly area of Nandi County, authorities said.
Police chief Samuel Mukuusi confirmed all six on board died, describing the incident as the result of bad weather.
Among the victims was Johana Ng’eno, a 54-year-old lawmaker serving her third term in Kenya’s national legislature.
Ng’eno was re-elected in 2022 on a ruling party ticket, representing her constituency with decades of political service.
An investigation into the cause of the crash has begun, with officials examining flight records and witness accounts.
Kenya’s civil aviation authority has yet to issue an official statement regarding the tragic incident or flight safety measures.
Parliament Speaker Moses Wetang’ula eulogized Ng’eno, praising her as a “devoted legislator and a committed servant of the people.”
The accident has shaken the region, raising concerns over aviation safety amid Kenya’s unpredictable weather patterns.
Local communities and political leaders mourn the sudden loss of lives, highlighting the personal and national impact of the tragedy.
