Twelve feared dead as light aircraft from Diani to Maasai Mara crashes in Kwale following poor weather

Twelve people are feared dead after a light aircraft crashed in Kwale County early Tuesday morning. The plane, registered as 5Y-CCA, was flying from Diani to Kichwa Tembo in the Maasai Mara when it went down shortly after takeoff, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

In a statement, KCAA confirmed the accident occurred at 0530Z, saying the aircraft was carrying 12 occupants. “Government agencies are already on site to establish the cause of the accident and its impact,” the authority said.

Footage from the crash site showed the plane engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across the area. Emergency responders could be seen battling the blaze and searching for survivors.

Kwale County Police Commander Abdillahi Alio said the crash occurred in Tsimba area, a densely forested region known for its thickets. “The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff and burst into flames upon impact,” Alio told reporters.

Preliminary reports suggest the unfavourable weather conditions along the Coast may have contributed to the tragedy. Witnesses said visibility was low due to heavy rains and strong winds at the time of the flight.

The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier issued a warning for coastal residents to brace for strong winds and heavy rainfall, linked to tropical storm Chenge.

According to the weatherman, the storm located around 500 kilometres north of Madagascar as of Sunday—was moving westward towards the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts, bringing turbulent conditions across the region.

The incident has reignited safety concerns over flight operations during extreme weather, especially along the coastal route connecting Diani to the Maasai Mara, which is popular with tourists.

As investigations continue, authorities have urged the public to remain patient as official reports on casualties and cause of the crash are compiled.