At least 36 people flying on an Embraer aircraft escaped death by a whisker after they were involved in an accident at the Mandera Airstrip.
What was supposed to be a routine two-hour flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to Mandera turned into a near-miss when the plane ended up in nearby bushes while landing.
Immediately the EBB (Elevation Beyond Borders) plane's tires hit the tarmac, it failed to brake and ploughed into nearby brush, damaging part of the military fence.
“I am still in shock. I heard a loud sound as I breathed off after a long flight from Nairobi. I was preparing to get off my seat when the unexpected happened,” Ms Saadia Hassan, a passenger said.
“Things went silent,” she added.
“A flight attendant started by apologising and assuring us of our safety before announcing that the plane had missed the runway.”
Confirming the 8:30am incident, Mandera County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa said all passengers on board were accounted for.
“There were a total of 36 people on board and none suffered any injuries. Majority were in shock,” Mr Ndiwa said.
“The plane was extensively damaged but all on board came out safely. We have secured the scene as we wait for the relevant agencies to commence investigations.”
Planes on the Nairobi-Mandera route either use Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Nairobi, and land at the Mandera military airstrip. The facility has a short runway, putting lives of the users at risk.
Attempts by local leaders to have an airport constructed in Mandera have failed due to what they termed as clan-based interests.
At the advent of devolution, the County Government mooted a plan to construct an international airport in Mandera East but the project failed after a section of locals blocked it in court. They argued that it was a plot by the county leadership to grab their community grazing field.
“We should have a proper airport in Mandera for us to have safe air operations. I am shocked by today's incident,” Mr Hassan Abdullahi, another passenger said.
