Helicopter Carrying Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen in Abortive Takeoff in Baringo

A chopper carrying Transport CS Onesmus  Kipchumba Murkomen and Kenya Airports Authority Chair and former Soi MP Caleb Kositany has reportedly crashed in Baringo.

According to reports, the chopper crashed as it attempted to take off at Mwachon, Baringo County. Luckily, the two escaped unhurt and no casualties have been reported.

From the photos shared online and confirmed by popular sources, the ill-fated chopper crash-landed on its stomach in the process damaging its landing gear. However, the rest of the body and propeller plates were intact, a clear indication that it had not taken off to a higher point by the time of the incident.

The two were evacuated to safety as investigations into the cause of the accident began. The two had toured Eldama Ravine for a function before the incident.

This comes just few months after another chopper incident in the country. A military helicopter crashed in September 2023 near the border with Somalia and killed at least eight people.

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It was not immediately clear what caused the crash in the county of Lamu in coastal Kenya. Kenyan defense forces operate in the area to help deter the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group, based across the border in Somalia.

Meanwhile, Transport CS Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen has just spoken to the media after a helicopter he was travelling in crashed on Saturday.

According to the CS who described the incident as a ‘small mishap’, all who were onboard were safe.

He went on to say that they arrived at Nyatike, where they were headed for a funeral safely.

The CS thanked Kenyans for their concerns and prayers, following the incident.

“Arrived safely in Nyatike, Migori County with the Chairman Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to condole with our KAA MD Henry Ogoye who lost his loving mother. Earlier on, we had a small mishap and we thank God we are safe. Thank you all for your concerns, prayers and best wishes. God bless you,” Murkomen said on X.

The private chopper they were in crashed as it attempted to take off in Mwachon, Baringo County.

Murkomen was with Kenya Airports Authority chairman Caleb Kositany when the incident happened Saturday morning.

They left the chopper unharmed but were advised to seek medical attention later.

The chopper registration number 5Y-PKI is privately owned but the two had hired for use.

Police were later called to guard the badly damaged chopper. Its landing gear was damaged.