A helicopter crash in Turkana on Sunday evening claimed the lives of Deputy President William Ruto's pilot and four American tourists, prompting an investigation.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General Gilbert Kibe confirmed that two helicopters departed from Lake Turkana Central Island on Sunday, with one crashing shortly after takeoff. The Bell 505X, registered as 5YKDL, was en route to Lobolo Camp when it lost contact and crashed on the island.
Kibe stated that all five individuals on board—four U.S. citizens and pilot Captain Mario Magonga—perished. The Air Accident Investigation Department is examining the crash's causes. Magonga, a former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) pilot and helicopter instructor, hailed from Nyamataro, Kitutu Chache South in Kisii County.
Search and rescue operations, coordinated by the KCAA Rescue Coordination Centre, located the wreckage at 3:20 a.m. on Monday with no survivors. Turkana Central deputy county commissioner Alexander Motivo confirmed the two helicopters were seen approaching Lobolo Camp before one disappeared.
KIDL Helicopters manager Marco Brighetti described the incident as
