Military aircraft crash-lands at Mwea airstrip

Military aircraft with four officers crash-lands at Mwea airstrip in Kirinyaga county after developing mechanical problems. Four officers aboard the aircraft escaped unhurt.

The aircraft developed a mechanical problem forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at the airstrip under construction. The aircraft veered off the runway into a perimeter fence.

Witnesses said the aircraft hit two trenches before it crashed into the fence and stuck in the mud.

One of the witnesses at the scene said he saw the aircraft hovering in space before a thick smoke started billowing from the left engine, before it came down with a bang.

"Once it crash-landed, it moved for about thirty metres but was stopped by a fence which it extensively damaged," the witness said.

Area Assistant Chief Mr Henry Karatu said he was at his residence when he a loud sound before rushing to the scene.

"On arrival, I found the aircraft which had destroyed the fence stuck in the mud and the four soldiers," he said.

A government official said it was likely that the soldiers were training when the accident occured.

Area police boss Mr Apollo Onyonyi said investigations into the crash had been launched.

Mr Onyonyi also said he was yet to establish where the aircraft was heading when the accident happened.

The soldiers who appeared shaken declined to speak to the media.

"We are not authorised to talk to the press and you would rather contact our headquarters in Nairobi," one of the soldiers said.