Detectives complete evidence collection in fatal Nandi helicopter crash
A scene where a chopper crashed at Chepkiep Village in Mosop sub-County of Nandi on February 28, 2026, where six occupants died on the spot.
Detectives have concluded the collection of critical evidence at the site of the Youth Aviation helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno and five others on Saturday afternoon.
A multi-agency team, comprising homicide detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and aviation experts, spent Monday combing the wreckage site, retrieving flight instruments and technical components described as ‘black box’ equivalent, items expected to provide conclusive data on the last moments of the aircraft before the crash.
The investigators have now shifted focus to technical analysis in Nairobi, marking the next phase in unraveling the circumstances behind the helicopter disaster, as detectives seek to reconstruct the helicopter’s final moments and provide definitive answers about the tragedy.
While some pieces of the wreckage will be analysed in Nairobi by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID), some of the recovered parts from the helicopter Registration 5Y-DSB will be taken out of the country for specialist metallurgical testing and, where applicable, data download and further technical analysis.
Nandi County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Peter Ochieng confirmed that an inquest has been officially opened, and focus now shifts to forensic and technical analysis to determine the cause of the crash. He urged the public to avoid speculation as the inquiry progresses.
He assured that a comprehensive report detailing the findings would be ready within 30 days.
“We are committed to revealing every piece of information necessary to determine the cause of this accident. A full report will be ready within 30 days,” he said.
“We have collected all necessary samples. The scene has been fully cleared, and the debris will be transported to secure aviation facilities in Nairobi for detailed forensic examination,” said Mr Ochieng.
“We are moving into the next stage, which involves examining every piece of recovered evidence in detail. The process is thorough and professional, and a comprehensive report will be ready within 30 days,” he said.
The investigation was reinforced with the arrival of the Director of the Homicide Bureau Mr Martin Nyaguto, from Nairobi on Monday morning, who joined local detectives and aviation accident investigators in piecing together the final moments of the ill-fated flight.
“The process has been thorough and professional. We are committed to revealing every piece of information necessary to ascertain why this tragedy occurred,” the Nandi County CCIO added.
“This process has been thorough and professional. Every lead is being pursued to understand why this tragedy occurred,” Mr Ochieng stated.
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