The seven people who died in a helicopter crash on Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County included a Kenyan, five Americans and an Ecuadorian.
The deceased include the Kenyan pilot and director of African Heli Adventures, Josh Outram, as well as Ecuador's intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Yeaza, who held Ecuadorian and American citizenship.
The site where a helicopter ferrying tourists crashed at Mt Ololokwe in Samburu East on August 19, 2026. Seven people died.
Photo credit: David Muchui | Nation
According to the American media outlet NBC 6, most of the victims had links to Miami, Florida, where they were corporate executives or business leaders.
No survivors: All seven occupants in Samburu aircraft crash have died
Among the dead is José Alberto Suárez, the president and general manager of Spanish TV stations Telemundo 31, Telemundo 49 and Telemundo Ft. Myers–Naples.
Others are Roger Duarte the founder of George Stone Crab, a stone crab home delivery company, Adam Hlavaty, the co-founder of Mrkt Group, a real estate development company, and Henry Parra an aviation software executive from Miami.
The identities of the deceased were confirmed through a police report, while American media cited the State Department as confirming the victims' nationalities.
The six tourists had been flown from Suiyan in Loisaba Conservancy, Laikipia County, to Mount Ololokwe when their helicopter crashed at the foot of a rocky hill.
Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi said that the cause of this tragic accident had yet to be established.
The site where a helicopter ferrying tourists crashed at Mt Ololokwe in Samburu East on August 19, 2026. Seven people died.
Photo credit: David Muchui | Nation
Reports indicate that Outram is a highly experienced pilot who has operated in rugged Northern Kenya for several years as a tour operator, supporting security surveillance in wildlife conservancies.
In an earlier interview with Loisaba's Elewana Collection, Outram spoke about his passion for flying and exploring northern Kenya.
"I am hugely passionate about flying and what Kenya has to offer. The North has some of the most diverse landscapes over a very short distance. What I get to see every day is something that I feel everyone coming through Kenya should to see. Truly it is some of the most mind-blowing landscapes, that most people in Kenya don’t realise exist. A helicopter opens up the opportunity to see this," he said in the interview.
A rescue official works at the site of a tourist helicopter crash that caused multiple casualties, according to the police, in Samburu County, Kenya, August 19, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
He said the helicopter offers tourists access to remote and completely untouched places in Kenya’s north.
Meanwhile, the death of the director general of Ecuador's National Intelligence Centre (CNI) and his wife was confirmed in a statement posted on the President's official X account.
"At this moment of profound grief, the National Government extends its deepest condolences to their families, loved ones and close associates, whom it accompanies with respect, solidarity and affection." The statement posted on X read.
According to Ecuadorian media, Sensi-Contugi served as Minister of the Interior from April to August 2024, before taking over as Director of the National Intelligence Centre (CNI).
American media outlet NBC 6 said the death of Alberto, 55, was communicated through a joint statement by NBCU Newsgroup Chairman Cesar Conde, NBCU Local Chairman Valari Staab, and Telemundo Station Group President Jose Cancela.
“We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that José was killed in a helicopter accident in Kenya. José was an exceptional colleague who cared deeply about his teams, the communities they served and the important role our stations play in people’s lives. He brought energy, humor, warmth and a strong sense of purpose to his work, and his impact was felt far beyond the stations he led. Our hearts are with his loved ones, and with all of José’s colleagues and friends who are grieving this terrible loss.” they stated.
Also, the US media outlet said the death of Duarte, 39, was confirmed by his family in a statement
"The Duarte and Valls families are devastated and heartbroken by the tragic helicopter accident in Kenya that claimed the lives of our beloved Roger Edward Duarte, our dear friends Jose Suarez, Adam Hlavaty, Henry Parra, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and Stephany Holliham Yeaza, as well as Josh Outram, the helicopter’s pilot."
"The magnitude of this tragedy is impossible to comprehend, and there are no words to express the depth of our pain. We ask that you keep them all and everyone who loved them in your prayers. We respectfully request privacy as our families grieve this unimaginable loss," the family said in a statement.
Rescue officials work at the site of a tourist helicopter crash that caused multiple casualties, according to the police, in Samburu County, Kenya, August 19, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
The aircraft belonging to Lady Lori, a chartered helicopter operator, crashed while landing on Mt Ololokwe, a site preferred by tourists for its scenic views and sunsets.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) identified the aircraft involved in the accident as a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM.
According to Mr Diba Ngera, a local tour operator and one of the first responders, Mt Ololokwe is frequented by tourists keen on enjoying the scenic views of the expansive Matthews ranges as well as spectacular sunsets.
"Tourists frequent Mt Ololokwe to enjoy breakfast at its peak. Helicopters also bring tourists here to watch the sunset. The pilot might have been trying to land when the aircraft crashed," Mr Ngera said.
Samburu is also a popular destination for high-net-worth individuals, who frequent its remote and luxurious lodges.
Mr Ngera said that the hill's peak experiences strong winds, and that locals had erected signage warning pilots of the risks.
"Although there has never been an accident on the hill, we recognised the danger and put up warning signs. The community has also prepared an airstrip, but tourists prefer to land at the peak," he said.
On Wednesday, August 19, recovery and evacuation of bodies from the crash site was suspended after four bodies had been retrieved.
The Samburu County Police Commander said that the operation to retrieve the remaining three bodies would resume on Thursday.
The difficult and hilly terrain around the crash site has slowed down the search and recovery efforts.
