KDF probes military plane crash in Kwale that claimed lives of instructor and trainee pilot

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has launched investigations into the tragic crash of a military training aircraft in Kwale County that claimed the lives of two pilots.

While the main cause of the crash is yet to be known, KDF said a team of investigators has already been dispatched to the scene to determine what led to the fatal incident.

The Saturday incident involved a Grob 120A aircraft that went down near Mwakijembe Primary School in Mafundani village while on a routine training flight.

In a statement on Sunday, KDF said the aircraft was reported to have experienced an emergency before crashing, resulting in the deaths of both pilots on board.

The deceased officers have reportedly been identified as Major Evander Ochieng Amondi, who was serving as the instructor, and Lieutenant D.M. Nzuva, a trainee pilot. The two were attached to the KDF’s Aviation Centre of Excellence and are said to have died on the spot.

KDF expressed its condolences, stating: “May the Almighty Lord rest the souls of the departed heroes in peace and grant their families fortitude at this time of deep sorrow.”

Major Amondi, a seasoned pilot and instructor, led a group of aviators in a fly-past during the 2025 Madaraka Day celebrations held in Homa Bay. His colleagues have described him as a celebrated pilot who mentored and trained numerous officers in the military aviation sector.

Condolences

Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya also mourned the loss, conveying her sympathies to the bereaved families and the wider military fraternity.

“My heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives and all colleagues of our two gallant Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers who lost their lives in yesterday’s accident involving a Kenya Air Force (KAF) Grob 120A aircraft which was on a training flight in Kwale County,” she said.

“As the Ministry of Defence (MoD) family, we will stand together during this difficult period of mourning our departed colleagues.”

The crash has added to growing concern over the frequency of accidents involving military aircraft, particularly during training operations.

In April 2024, Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine other officers lost their lives when a Bell UH‑1H Huey II helicopter crashed.

In November 2023, two KDF pilots sustained injuries after their Fennec helicopter hit a power cable and crashed in the Kisamis area of Kajiado West.

Four months earlier, in July 2023, a similar Fennec chopper crashed at Chemolingot Stadium in Baringo County during a visit by then Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. No casualties were reported in that incident.

On September 18, 2023, a Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter went down in Lamu County while on a night patrol, killing at least eight KDF personnel.

Another crash occurred in November 2023 when a Mi17 Kenya Air Force helicopter was severely damaged while attempting to take off from Buna Hospital in Wajir North. The number of injured persons onboard was not disclosed.

In 2021, 10 Kenya Air Force personnel died and 13 others were injured when a military helicopter crashed in the Oltepesi area, near Kisamis in Kajiado County.

KDF has reiterated its commitment to aviation safety, noting that it will release further details once investigations into the Kwale crash are completed.