Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, fellow Kenyans, our partners and friends,

We gather here today in deep sorrow and reflection as we continue to mourn the untimely loss of our colleagues and fellow countrymen following the tragic aircraft accident that occurred yesterday involving one of our AMREF Flying Doctors aircraft in the Mwihoko area, Nairobi.

This is an immense loss — not just to the Amref Health Africa family, but to the entire nation. We honour the lives of Captain Muthuka Munuve, Captain Brian Kimani Miaro, Dr Charles Mugo Njoroge, and Nurse Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to humanity. These were not just professionals; they were heroes.

  • Captain Muthuka Munuve served for nearly seven years as a captain and check pilot on both the Cessna Citation XLS and the Pilatus PC-12, with over 10,000 hours of flying experience.
  • Captain Brian Kimani Miaro was an instructor captain on the Pilatus PC-12 and was transitioning to become a check pilot on the same aircraft. He had over 5,800 hours of flight experience.
  • Dr Charles Mugo Njoroge served for more than seven and a half years as a dedicated medical doctor.
  • Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula served as an emergency flight nurse for over four years and eight months.

All of them took to the skies with purpose — to heal, to save, and to serve. 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.

We also extend our deepest sympathies to the residents of Mwihoko who were affected by this tragic incident. We recognise the trauma and disruption this has caused in your community, and we stand with you during this painful time.

Over the past 24 hours, our crisis teams have been in close contact with the families of our fallen colleagues. Today, we met with seven families, including those of community members affected, offering emotional, psychological, and logistical support. We acknowledge the six fatalities and are providing psychosocial support to their families. We thank the families for taking the time to meet with us.

Working with the Kenya Red Cross, we have also provided displaced families with essential non-food items — including mattresses, blankets, collapsible beds, mosquito nets, soap, and assorted clothing — to meet their immediate needs.

We are coordinating closely with government pathologists and investigative authorities to ensure a dignified and accurate identification process for all victims. We appreciate the strong cooperation and support we have received from government agencies. We remain committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to share updates as they become available.

We can confirm that the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), initially reported missing, have now been recovered and will be vital tools in aiding the ongoing investigation. Some parts of the FDR are still missing, and we continue to work with the local community to locate them. We kindly appeal to any residents who may have seen or found these missing components to bring them forward, as they are critical to the investigation.

This tragedy is a powerful reminder of the risks our medical and aviation teams face every single day to ensure that someone, somewhere — often in a remote or inaccessible location — gets a second chance at life. Since our founding, we have upheld an unblemished record of service.

Yesterday was not only a day of heartbreaking loss but also the anniversary of the very day in 1957 when Amref began its work in Kenya braving danger zones, reaching the most remote corners of our continent, and responding to countless emergencies — always guided by our unwavering mission to serve humanity with courage, integrity, compassion, and an uncompromising commitment to safety. That legacy, written in both triumph and sacrifice, will continue to light our path forward.

As we mourn, we also recommit ourselves to honouring the legacy of our fallen heroes — not just with words, but with action. Their mission will not end here.

As we continue to gather more information, we respectfully request patience and understanding. AMREF Flying Doctors remains committed to providing accurate and timely updates.

For further details or assistance, reach us via: +254 706 811 811

Our teams are ready to listen, assist, and walk this journey with you.

 

Stephen Gitau,
Chief Executive Officer & Accountable Manager
AMREF Flying Doctors.