Experts visit scene as investigations on Raila chopper crash start

Erick Juma
Aviation accidents investigators yesterday visited the scene of Sunday’s accident where a plane that had dropped opposition leader Raila Odinga at Kudho Primary School in Gem, Siaya county, crashed as it attempted to take off.
The team from the Air Accidents Investigations Department visited the scene to unearth the cause of the crash that occurred at around 4.30 pm.
Only the pilot of the chopper, Julius Mwambanga of Peniel Air, and one passenger, Peter Mbeka were on the plane at the time of the accident. Mwambanga escaped unhurt while Mbeka, an aide to Raila, suffered minor injuries and complained of chest pains.
Interviewed at scene
Yesterday, the investigators interviewed Mbeka at the scene with a view to establishing what could have caused the accident.
“We are currently at Kudho Primary School where the plane crashed and we are being interrogated by a team of experts to establish the cause of the accident,” Mbeka told People Daily on telephone.
“I thank God that I am alive and strong after receiving medication as a result of the accident.
We are still at the scene of incident being interrogated by the investigators who arrived in the county this morning,” said Mbeka.
Siaya Police Commandant Michael Muchiri confirmed investigators had opened into the incident.
According to a statement released by Raila’s spokesman Dennis Onyango, the chopper had flown the Opposition chief from Kisumu to Gem in Siaya county but crashed shortly after dropping him and his entourage of four people.
“The chopper tried to lift off to create space for other planes. Unfortunately, it crashed,” Onyango said in a statement.
Alego/Usonga MP Samwel Atandi and Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo urged the investigators to investigate the cause of the accident.