This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
On July 13, 2020, a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) chopper crashed in Kathyoka, Machakos county, during a training mission, leaving two soldiers on board.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the US-made MD 530F light attack helicopter gunship crashed at around 10am.
According to the ministry, the two pilots on board were evacuated from the crash site.
Confirming the incident, the KDF tweeted: 'Today 13th July, 2020, at around 1130hrs, a Kenya Army helicopter (Hughes 500MD), crashed in the general area of Kithyoko, Machakos County. The aircraft was on a training flight. Onboard were two pilots who have since been evacuated from the crash site.'
However, in a separate statement, Machakos Sub County Commander Karanja Muiruri revealed that two KDF officers had died from the plane crash.
The incident occurred just a month after a police chopper crash landed in Meru.
The MD 530F planes are part of the Sh26 billion ($253 million) arms deal that Nairobi signed with Washington in May 2017.
