Nairobi, Kenya — The nation is mourning the devastating loss of six lives following the tragic crash of an AMREF Flying Doctors aircraft, registration 5Y-FDM, which went down in Nairobi’s Mwihoko area on Friday.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the medical and aviation communities, as four of AMREF’s frontline responders were among those killed in the accident.
The aircraft, part of AMREF’s life-saving emergency response fleet, was on a medical evacuation mission when the crash occurred. All four AMREF crew members on board perished in the incident, along with two civilians on the ground.
In an emotional statement on Saturday, AMREF Flying Doctors CEO Stephen Gitau paid tribute to the fallen, calling them “heroes” who gave their lives in service to humanity.
“This is an immense loss not just to the AMREF Health Africa family, but to the entire nation,” Gitau said. “They took to the skies with purpose to heal, to save, and to serve.”
Remembering the Fallen: Among the victims were:
- Captain Muthuka Munuve, a veteran pilot with over 10,000 flight hours, who had served nearly seven years as a captain and check pilot on both the Cessna Citation XLS and Pilatus PC-12.
- Captain Brian Kimani Miaro, an instructor pilot with more than 5,800 flight hours, who was undergoing transition training to become a check pilot on the Pilatus PC-12.
- Dr. Charles Mugo Njoroge, a dedicated physician who had served with AMREF for over seven and a half years.
- Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula, an experienced emergency flight nurse who had been part of the organisation for nearly five years.
“These were not just professionals. They were heroes,” Gitau said. “Their courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to saving lives will forever remain etched in the heart of this organisation and the history of this country.”
Support for Affected Families and Community
AMREF Flying Doctors has been working closely with the Kenya Red Cross and local authorities to support those affected by the crash. Families of the victims have received emotional and logistical support, while displaced Mwihoko residents have been provided with essential supplies, including mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, and clothing.
The organisation confirmed that all six fatalities have been identified and that efforts are underway to ensure a respectful and dignified process for the victims and their families.
Gitau also extended sympathy to the Mwihoko community, acknowledging the trauma and disruption caused by the crash:
Investigation Underway
AMREF confirmed that the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) have been recovered, though some parts of the FDR are still missing. The organisation is urging local residents to come forward with any found components, which are critical to the ongoing investigation.
“We remain committed to transparency and accountability,” Gitau said. “We will continue to share updates as they become available.”
AMREF is working in close coordination with investigative authorities and government pathologists as part of the inquiry into the cause of the crash.
Continuing the Mission
As AMREF Flying Doctors mourns its fallen team members, the organisation has vowed to honour their memory by continuing their mission.
“Their mission will not end here,” Gitau concluded. “As we mourn, we also recommit ourselves to honouring the legacy of our fallen heroes not just with words, but with action.”
