The Kenya-based AMREF Flying Doctors has officially named the four crew members who died when their aircraft crashed in Mwihoko, Githurai 45, on Tuesday afternoon.
The tragic incident claimed six lives in total, including two residents from the local community, and has deeply affected the nation.
In a statement, AMREF Flying Doctors CEO Stephen Gitau confirmed the identities of the crew as Captain Muthuka Munuve, Captain Brian Kimani Miaro, Dr Charles Mugo Njoroge, and Nurse Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula.
“This is an immense loss not just to the AMREF family, but to the entire nation,” Gitau said. “We honour the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to humanity. These were not just professionals; they were heroes.”
Captain Muthuka Munuve had nearly seven years of experience as a captain and check pilot on both the Cessna Citation XLS and the Pilatus PC-12, with over 10,000 flight hours.
Captain Brian Kimani Miaro was an instructor captain on the Pilatus PC-12, preparing to become a check pilot, and had logged more than 5,800 flight hours.
“Dr Charles Mugo Njoroge served for more than seven and a half years as a dedicated medical doctor, while Nurse Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula had over four years of service as an emergency flight nurse,” Gitau added.
He emphasized that all four crew members were driven by compassion and commitment to delivering lifesaving care across Kenya and beyond.
The crash coincided with the anniversary of AMREF’s founding in 1957, a day that now holds both remembrance and sorrow.
Two Mwihoko residents, a father and child, also lost their lives in the crash, bringing the total fatalities to six.
Gitau expressed heartfelt sympathy to the affected families and the Mwihoko community, acknowledging the trauma and disruption caused.
“Over the past 24 hours, our crisis teams have been in close contact with the families of our fallen colleagues. Today, we met with seven families, including those of community members affected, offering emotional, psychological, and logistical support,” he said.
In collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, AMREF has provided displaced families with essential supplies such as mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, soap, and clothing to help them during this difficult time.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. AMREF confirmed that both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) were recovered, although some parts of the FDR remain missing.
Gitau appealed to local residents for assistance in locating the remaining components, stressing their importance in uncovering the cause of the crash.
“We can confirm that the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, initially reported missing, have now been recovered and will be vital tools in aiding the ongoing investigation,” Gitau said.
“Some parts of the FDR are still missing, and we continue to work with the local community to locate them. We kindly appeal to any residents who may have seen or found these missing components to bring them forward, as they are critical to the investigation.”
As the nation mourns, AMREF Flying Doctors remains committed to honoring the legacy of their fallen crew through continued service.
“As we mourn, we also recommit ourselves to honouring the legacy of our fallen heroes not just with words, but with action. Their mission will not end here,” Gitau said.
