Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has expressed gratitude after surviving a plane accident at Wilson Airport on Friday evening, March 20, 2026.

He was among 39 passengers on board the flight, which also had three crew members and a pilot.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook account, Osotsi thanked God for protection and commended the pilot for his remarkable skill and presence of mind, noting that the pilot successfully steered the aircraft off the runway, preventing a potentially catastrophic fire.

“I thank God I am alive after a plane crash-landed at Wilson Airport. I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident at Wilson Airport this evening. I was among the 39 passengers on board the flight, including three crew members and the pilot, when the plane landed,” Osotsi wrote.

“I commend the pilot for his remarkable skill and presence of mind in controlling the aircraft and steering it off the runway, causing it to stall, an action that averted what could have been a catastrophic fire had the plane continued on the runway.”

Safety concerns

In addition, the Senator raised serious concerns about the airport’s emergency preparedness, highlighting that there were no immediate rescue operations.

“However, it is deeply troubling that despite the pilot’s efforts to save lives, there were no immediate rescue operations from the airport management,” he added.

“There was no ambulance on site. This level of unpreparedness is unacceptable for an airport of such significance.”

He further emphasised that the incident occurred just days after he raised safety concerns in the Senate regarding deteriorating infrastructure at Wilson Airport.

“This incident comes just days after I sought a statement in the Senate of the Republic of Kenya regarding the safety concerns and deteriorating infrastructure at Wilson Airport. Today’s events have only reinforced those concerns,” Osotsi stated.

Additionally, the Senator noted issues such as a flooded runway and non-functioning lighting systems, which often force flights to divert to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the evening.

“The runway was flooded and the lighting system is not functioning properly. It is common knowledge that due to these poor conditions, flights are often diverted to JKIA in the evening, raising serious questions as to why this particular flight was not redirected,” he added.

“In light of this experience, I strongly reiterate my call for urgent action. Wilson Airport must be closed and comprehensively upgraded to meet international safety standards before it is allowed to resume full operations. The safety of Kenyans and all air passengers must never be compromised.”