A helicopter crash near Lake Turkana on Sunday evening in 2019 killed five individuals, including a Kenyan pilot associated with Deputy President William Ruto's office, according to official reports.
The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that all five people aboard the aircraft perished in the incident at Central Island National Park. Among the deceased were four American nationals and Captain Mario Magonga, who was reportedly part of Ruto's aviation team.
Security forces arrived at the crash site to aid recovery efforts, though the accident's cause remains under investigation. Authorities stated they are awaiting formal identification of the victims before disclosing further details.
This tragedy follows a similar helicopter crash in Londiani, Kericho County, three weeks earlier in 2019 that also killed five people, including a local pilot. Both incidents have raised concerns about aviation safety in Kenya's remote areas.
