A helicopter crashed near Kirish at the foot of Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on Wednesday morning, triggering an emergency response as police, local residents and rescue teams moved to the remote area where witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke and intense flames.
The aircraft came down at about 9.13am while flying from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), which later confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM.
The crash was first reported by local residents who raised the alarm after seeing smoke and fire at the site near Kirish. Eyewitnesses said a large plume of black smoke could be seen rising from the area following the crash.
Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi confirmed the incident, saying police had not reached the crash site by the time of the initial reports.
The difficult location of the crash prompted the deployment of security personnel and emergency response teams as efforts got underway to access the site and establish what had happened.
KCAA later issued a confirmation of the accident involving the helicopter at Lolokwe Mountain in Samburu County.
“Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirms that an aircraft accident involving a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, has occurred at Lolokwe Mountain in Samburu County on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. The aircraft was conducting a flight from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when the accident occurred at approximately 0913 hrs local time.”
The authority said it was working with other agencies and stakeholders as emergency operations continued at the crash site.
“KCAA is coordinating with the relevant agencies and stakeholders in response to the accident. The Ministry of Roads and Transport, Air Accident Investigation Department is leading investigations on circumstances surrounding the accident.”
The Ministry of Roads and Transport's Air Accident Investigation Department is therefore leading investigations into the circumstances that led to the crash.
KCAA did not immediately give details on the number of people who were aboard the helicopter or identify the occupants.
The authority also did not confirm the condition of those on board as emergency teams continued working to reach the crash site.
The accident has prompted a major emergency response in the remote Samburu area, with authorities expected to provide more information once rescue teams gain access to the site and conduct an initial assessment.
Investigators will seek to establish what caused the helicopter to come down while operating the Loisaba-Ewasonyiro route.
Further details on the occupants, casualties and the condition of the aircraft are expected as rescue and recovery operations continue.
KCAA expressed condolences to the families affected by the crash.
“The Authority extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims following this tragic incident.”