A National Police Service Air Wing aircraft carrying senior police officials, including the Inspector General of Police , was forced to return to Wajir Airport on Monday after suffering a bird strike while in flight.
The incident caused panic before the pilot James Kabo managed to land it back to the airport.
According to the police. the incident occurred at approximately 12:27 p.m. when aircraft registration number 5Y-GSU encountered a bird strike shortly after take-off.
The aircraft, operated by the National Police Service Air Wing, diverted back to Wajir Airport as a precautionary measure to allow for inspection and assessment of any potential damage caused by the collision.
Among those on board were Douglas Kanja, the Inspector General of the National Police Service, and Eliud Lagat, the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, together with members of their entourage.
They looked shaken when they disembarked and saw the damage caused by the bird.
The bird was stuck in the plane near the cockpit and propeller.
Authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew members were unharmed, and the aircraft landed safely at Wajir Airport.
A technical assessment of the aircraft was expected to be conducted to determine the extent of any damage resulting from the bird strike before further operations could proceed.
Those on board were forced to seek an alternative.
The police bosses had attended the Madaraka Day celebrations in the area and were flying back to Nairobi when the incident happened.
Meanwhile, s police officer attached to a tactical unit died after collapsing shortly following the Madaraka Day parade in Wajir East Sub-County, Wajir County.
Police Constable Hassan Moyo collapsed at around 9:05 a.m. shortly after participating in the parade march-past at Wajir Stadium.
He was immediately rushed to Wajir County Referral Hospital, where medical personnel attempted to resuscitate him.
However, he was pronounced dead at around 10:00 a.m.
Preliminary medical assessment indicated that the officer died of myocardial infarction (heart attack).
The incident was recorded at the station at 11:05 a.m., and further administrative and medical procedures are expected to follow, including formal post-mortem documentation as per protocol.
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