This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
On October 21, 2017, a helicopter crashed into Lake Nakuru, resulting in the deaths of its pilot, Captain Apollo Malowa, and four members of Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika's communication team.
According to a probe report released by Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the helicopter 'collided with the water surface due to loss of situation awareness by the pilot, who was under the influence of alcohol as depicted from the toxicology results.'
Investigations revealed that Captain Malowa had been drinking the night before the accident and was spotted at a club in downtown Nakuru with unknown persons.
A witness informed the investigating team that Malowa had arrived at the hotel in the company of three men and one female at around 0300 hours on October 21, 2017.
It was not immediately established what was the purpose of the flight as Malowa never talked to anybody on arrival at the hotel.
According to rumored information at the hotel, the pilot had planned to fly around the lake for sightseeing before they could fly back to the hotel.
At 0341 hours, an eyewitness saw the helicopter fly at low level towards the lake before it plunged into the water.
