A passenger plane arriving in Nairobi from Kisumu veered off the runway at Wilson Airport on Friday evening, briefly interrupting operations as authorities moved quickly to secure the scene and assist those on board.
The aircraft, which had departed from Kisumu International Airport, went off the runway at around 2055HRS, according to a statement by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). Despite the alarming incident, all 39 passengers and crew members escaped without injury.
“We wish to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe, with no injuries reported. The aircraft remains on site, and recovery efforts are currently underway,” the authority said in a statement.
KAA noted that operations at Wilson Airport continued as usual after the incident, reassuring the public of its focus on safety across all its facilities. The authority added that it remains committed to maintaining high safety standards.
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed the occurrence, though he indicated that details were still limited at the time. “This happened this evening, less than an hour ago. We have only the scantiest information so far – the plane was flying from Kisumu to Wilson Airport. No injuries have been reported. Further details will be availed,” he said.
Eyewitness accounts described a tense moment shortly after landing, with passengers seen rushing out of the aircraft. A video shared online showed them gathered on the runway as airport officials guided them away from the scene to safety.
The cause of the incident, described as a hard landing, has not yet been established. Authorities have since taken control of the situation and launched investigations to determine what led to the aircraft veering off the runway.
Wilson Airport, which handles both domestic and regional flights, remained operational as recovery efforts continued. Officials have urged the public to remain calm, noting that more information will be shared once investigations progress.
