Every morning, aircraft leave Diani Airport in Kwale County for Amboseli and Maasai Mara National Parks, transporting tourists eager to experience the beach and bush in Kenya’s luxury destinations.
The trips usually take less than two hours, landing at airstrips strategically located near safari camps and lodges.
On Tuesday, 11 people, a pilot and his 10 passengers , left Diani Airport a few minutes after 8.00am, heading to Kichwa Tembo Camp in the Maasai Mara. The private luxury camp is located in Narok County, offering panoramic views of the Mara plains and is known for its proximity to the wildebeest migration routes.
However, the planned getaway for the eight Hungarians and two German nationals was tragically cut short. The Caravan plane, registration number 5Y-CCA, operated by Mombasa Air Safari, crashed into the forested area of Nyando in Matuga, Kwale County, bursting into flames.
Mr Hamadi Garashi, a witness, said that the accident that morning happened while there was heavy rain in the sub-county, which borders Mombasa County.
“When we heard the loud bang, we rushed to the site and found a very big fire. We then reported to the village administrator, who informed other authorities,” said Mr Garashi.
He said that residents who first got to the scene found body parts scattered around the site of the accident. Mr Makopa Sazu, another villager, said the heavy rains being experienced in the area had created a cloud of fog, making visibility difficult.
The debris of a plane that crashed in Kwale on October 28, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
"It was still early when I heard the loud bang. I found the plane had caught fire,” he said.
The rains also hampered rescue operations in Nyando village, located in Matuga, one of the highlands in Kwale County. Vehicles struggled to access the area, while the mud limited movement. Last week, the Meteorological Department had warned of harsh weather at the Coast.
At the scene of the crash, the quiet village had come to life due to the accident. Various representatives from security and government agencies secured the area as they sought to conduct preliminary investigations to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The villages in Tsimba Golini Ward are known to be remote, with poor road networks and hilly terrain, marking a transition from the coastal lowlands to the uplands away from the Indian Ocean. The plane crashed in a bushy area, away from the villages.
Confirming the incident, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General Emile Arao said investigations will establish the cause of the accident.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, in a statement on Tuesday, said the aircraft left Diani at 8.25am and had lost radar contact with the Mombasa International Airport control tower. He added that all 11 occupants suffered fatal injuries, and that the airplane was destroyed by the impact and ensuing fire.
“Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) have been deployed to the accident site to commence a comprehensive site investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event," he said.
“We are committed to ensuring a transparent, thorough and independent investigation that will implement all necessary measures to uphold the highest standards of air safety in Kenya,” he said, adding that the government will offer support and comfort to those affected.
Speaking after the incident, Mombasa Air Safari Chairman John Cleave confirmed that the aircraft was indeed heading to the Maasai Mara and that preliminary investigations showed there were no survivors among the 11 passengers on board. The company operates small aircraft mostly between safari destinations in Kenya on behalf of tour operators.
He added that a family assistance team has been established to offer counselling, logistical coordination, and any required assistance.
“We have activated our emergency response and are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities who have begun their investigations,” said Mr Cleave.
However, heavy rains experienced in the area continued to hamper efforts to salvage items at the scene of the accident, with the activity frequently paused due to the downpour.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani also sent her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. At the same time, she urged motorists to be on high alert as they drive during the heavy rains that have flooded most roads.
Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, who visited the scene, reiterated that further investigations would be carried out to determine the cause of the crash. By the end of Tuesday, the identities of the victims had not yet been revealed. The crash has once again brought to the spotlight concerns about civil aviation safety in the country, especially involving light aircraft.
Between January and August this year, five fatal crashes involving light aircraft were reported.
