Nairobi: The Black-box of the ill-fated plane that crashed last evening in Mwihoko, Githurai, Kiambu, has been found. According to Githurai Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Charity Gatobu, the box was recovered by the Disaster Response Team involved in the recovery efforts of the plane crash. The ACC commended the rescue team for their efforts, saying the Black-box is needed to determine the cause of the crash. 'We hope the relevant authorities will get to the bottom of the matter as we continue to clear out any remaining parts of the plane and the rubble,' she said.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Kiambu County Government continues its Emergency Response and Recovery efforts in Mwihoko, Githurai, after an AMREF light aircraft crashed yesterday evening, killing all six passengers and two people on the ground, with two others left nursing injuries. The Kiambu Recovery Team on the ground assisting to clear out the debris and recover parts of the plane and collecting any harmful elements from the crash area is being assisted by the County Ambulance Services, Red Cross, and AMREF.
Speaking to the affected families during a visit to the site, Governor Kimani Wamatangi expressed his condolences to the families and assisted in coordinating the Kiambu rescue team to aid other relief agencies in the recovery efforts. 'The County Government of Kiambu Rescue Team, including firefighters and the medical team, joined the Kenya Red Cross, AMREF, and the military in the rescue mission yesterday. I take this opportunity to send a message of condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives and to support those affected,' he said.
The Governor also assured the 22 affected families whose residences and property were destroyed that they would receive immediate compensation from the County in order to mitigate their losses as the County moves to develop a long-term solution by next week. They are also assisting those injured with medicines and those who need psychosocial support due to the nature of the crash. 'We will meet, Monday, with the relevant members in order to make sure that those affected are all taken care of after this tragic event in order to reintegrate them. We will also work with AMREF, to make sure compensation is ready,' he said.
Githurai Municipality Manager, Elijah Ndungu, thanked the Emergency Response Teams for their quick action and decisiveness as well as the collaborative efforts between the various Sub County, fire brigades that were first to the scene. 'You have saved many lives because if it wasn't for you, the whole Estate would have been razed by the flames, this is a selfless job and one that we continue to thank you for,' he said.
Kiambu's Fire and Rescue Training Center recently completed a yearlong training by the Polish Center for International Aid specifically on urban search and rescue efforts as well as disaster response.