Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has recounted a narrow escape after a Safarilink aircraft crash-landed at Wilson Airport on Friday evening, raising fresh concerns over safety standards at one of Kenya’s busiest domestic airstrips.
In a statement shared after the incident, Osotsi said he was among 39 passengers on board, alongside three crew members and the pilot, when the plane veered off the runway during landing.
“I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident at Wilson Airport this evening,” Osotsi said. “The pilot demonstrated remarkable skill and presence of mind in controlling the aircraft and steering it off the runway, causing it to stall — an action that averted what could have been a catastrophic fire.”
No fatalities were immediately reported, though the full extent of injuries, if any, remained unclear by press time.
However, the senator sharply criticized the airport’s emergency preparedness, alleging that rescue efforts were either delayed or entirely absent.
“It is deeply troubling that despite the pilot’s efforts to save lives, there were no immediate rescue operations from the airport management. There was no ambulance on site and no emergency response team came to our aid,” he said, terming the situation “unacceptable.”
The incident comes just days after Osotsi had formally sought a statement in the Senate regarding safety concerns at Wilson Airport, including what he described as deteriorating infrastructure.
He pointed to a flooded runway and malfunctioning lighting systems as critical risks, noting that such conditions often force evening flights to be diverted to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“It raises serious questions as to why this particular flight was not redirected,” he said.
Osotsi has now called for the immediate closure of Wilson Airport to allow for comprehensive upgrades.
“Wilson Airport must be closed and comprehensively upgraded to meet international safety standards before it is allowed to resume full operations,” he said. “The safety of Kenyans and all air passengers must never be compromised.”
Background
According to Osotsi’s account, the aircraft was attempting to land at Wilson Airport in the evening under challenging conditions when it crash-landed and veered off the runway. The plane, carrying 39 passengers, three crew members, and the pilot, is said to have encountered a compromised runway, which the senator described as flooded, alongside poor visibility due to a malfunctioning lighting system.
In a critical moment during landing, the pilot reportedly steered the aircraft off the runway deliberately, causing it to stall in a controlled manner. Osotsi credited this decision with preventing a potential fire outbreak that could have occurred had the aircraft continued moving along the runway under the prevailing conditions.
Passengers were able to evacuate the aircraft, but Osotsi claimed there was no immediate emergency response from airport authorities. He said no ambulance or rescue team was present at the scene, forcing passengers and crew to rely on their own efforts in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
The senator further questioned why the flight was cleared to land at Wilson Airport despite what he described as known risks, including waterlogged sections of the runway and faulty lighting — conditions that have previously led to flight diversions to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during evening hours.
