Environment PS Festus Ng’eno Survives Kericho Helicopter Crash-Landing

A Kenya Forest Service helicopter carrying Environment Principal Secretary Dr Festus K. Ng’eno crash-landed during takeoff at Kericho Golf Club on Monday afternoon amid heavy rain. All five occupants survived and were treated for shock and injuries at a local hospital as investigators began examining the cause.

A Kenya Forest Service helicopter carrying Environment Principal Secretary Dr Festus K. Ng’eno crash-landed during takeoff at the Kericho Golf Club on Monday afternoon.

All five people on board survived the incident without any loss of life. They were immediately rushed to South Rift Hospital in Kericho, where medical teams treated them for shock and minor-to-moderate injuries. The pilot of the aircraft was placed under closer medical evaluation.

The helicopter, registration 5Y-FSK and operated by the Kenya Forest Service, suffered severe structural damage in the hard landing. The tail section was completely severed from the main airframe.

What Happened at Kericho Golf Club

The aircraft was taking off from the Kericho Golf Club in Kericho County when the incident occurred. Weather conditions at the time were poor, with heavy rain and reduced visibility reported across the area.

On board were Principal Secretary Dr Festus K. Ng’eno, four senior forestry officials and crew members. The group had been travelling on official duties linked to the Environment ministry and Kenya Forest Service operations.

Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Samwel Ndanyi, working with Kericho local security teams, confirmed the crash-landing. Emergency responders moved quickly to the scene, cordoning off the golf course to secure the area and allow rescue and recovery efforts to proceed.

Hospital Treatment and Survivors

Medical staff at South Rift Hospital received the five survivors shortly after the incident. All were treated for shock. Injuries were described as minor to moderate, though the pilot required additional assessment.

No fatalities were reported. The fact that everyone on board walked away from an aircraft that lost its entire tail section has been noted by those who responded to the scene.

Investigation Underway

Aviation safety investigators were dispatched to Kericho to determine the cause of the hard landing. Officials are examining several possible factors, including the heavy rain and reduced visibility at the time of takeoff, a possible mechanical fault, or the effects of low-altitude takeoff turbulence.

The investigation is at an early stage. Police and local security teams continue to maintain a presence around the cordoned-off section of the golf club while technical experts assess the wreckage of the Kenya Forest Service helicopter.

Official Response

Commander Samwel Ndanyi and Kericho security teams have been coordinating the ground response. Their confirmation of the incident and the rapid medical evacuation of the five occupants formed the basis of the initial public information.

Authorities have not yet released further details on the exact purpose of the flight or the full medical updates from South Rift Hospital beyond the initial treatment for shock and injuries.

The crash-landing of a government aircraft carrying a Principal Secretary has drawn attention in Kericho County and nationally, given the role of the Environment ministry and the Kenya Forest Service in forest management and related public programmes.

Investigators are expected to establish whether weather conditions, technical issues or operational factors during the takeoff sequence led to the aircraft’s severe damage and hard landing.

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