Regional low-cost carrier Jambojet, on Saturday, confirmed that a Kisumu-bound aircraft was forced to return to Nairobi on Friday evening.
The airline said the decision was made due to heavy rains associated with a thunderstorm in Kisumu that reduced visibility and made a safe landing impossible.
In a brief statement to the Nation , Jambojet said the aircraft turned back to Nairobi in line with safety protocols after weather conditions deteriorated at Kisumu International Airport.
“The aircraft turned back to Nairobi due to heavy rains occasioned by a thunderstorm in Kisumu, limiting visibility and making a safe landing impossible. In line with our safety protocols, the Captain diverted to Nairobi, landing at 1640 hrs. Following a reassessment of conditions, the flight departed again at 1730 hrs and landed safely in Kisumu at 1830 hrs,” the statement read.
It added that “safety remains our top priority, and all operational decisions are made with the well-being of our passengers and crew at the forefront.”
A passenger on board the flight described moments of panic after the aircraft encountered a sudden and violent storm just minutes before landing.
Flight 8656, which had departed Nairobi at 15:30, initially appeared to be operating normally until its final approach, according to passenger Humphrey Oborah, who later shared his account on Facebook.
He said the aircraft was abruptly hit by heavy rain and strong winds as it descended toward Kisumu, creating a rapidly worsening situation inside the cabin.
He added that there was fear as the aircraft experienced severe turbulence, saying that the aircraft dropped to what felt like a dangerously low altitude near Lake Victoria before suddenly recovering.
“Just before impact, the plane surged upward, forcing its way back into the thick, dark clouds. The cabin erupted again—this time in a mix of shock, fear, and desperate hope—as the aircraft rattled violently through the storm,” Oborah said.
According to Oborah, the pilot ultimately aborted the landing attempt at the last moment and informed passengers that the flight would return to Nairobi due to safety concerns.
On the way back to Nairobi, the aircraft was reportedly required to circle the airport before being cleared to land, further heightening anxiety among passengers.
It eventually landed safely in Nairobi. Some passengers opted not to continue with the journey and disembarked.
After refuelling, the aircraft departed again for Kisumu. The second attempt was calm, and the flight landed without further incident, Oborah described.
“When we finally touched down, the cabin erupted—not in fear, but in overwhelming relief. Applause. Tears. Shouts of “Praise the Lord!” Strangers embraced. Gratitude filled the air. Later, many passengers spoke of the pilot’s courage and skill. In the face of what felt like certain disaster, he held steady. Moments like these remind you—life hangs by a thread. It can change in an instant,” Oborah described.
Reflecting on the experience, Oborah said it highlighted how quickly conditions in the air can change, adding that he was grateful the flight landed safely.
This was not the first such incident involving a diversion on the Nairobi–Kisumu route. In 2019, passengers aboard another Jambojet flight bound for Kisumu International Airport were left in panic after the aircraft failed to land.
More than 70 passengers experienced fear when poor weather over Kisumu made landing impossible, forcing the pilot to abort the approach and return to Nairobi.
Before turning back, the aircraft circled above Lake Victoria several times as the pilot assessed options, while anxious passengers waited in tense silence.
One passenger said they had been informed the plane would land within five minutes, only for more time to pass without touchdown, increasing concern on board.
Another passenger, Stella Wanja, said repeated loops over Lake Victoria intensified panic, with some passengers recalling the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed more than 150 people a few months earlier.
She added that the aircraft first circled the airport before continuing over the lake, as fear spread quietly through the cabin despite efforts to remain calm.
The flight later landed safely in Nairobi, and the airline issued an apology for the distressing experience.
