Tension has gripped Samburu County following reports of an air incident near Kirish, with Kenya Red Cross emergency response teams joining a multi-agency operation at the scene.
The Kenya Red Cross Society said its emergency teams had been deployed as rescue personnel worked to reach the reported crash site.
The statement did not immediately provide details on the type of aircraft involved, the number of people aboard or whether there were confirmed fatalities.
The incident comes after the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y GYM, crashed at Lolokwe Mountain in Samburu County earlier on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Rescue teams head to site
Kenya Red Cross said its teams were participating in the wider emergency response as efforts to access the crash location continued.
“Response operations are ongoing following reports of an air incident near Kirish, Samburu County,” the organisation said.
“Kenya Red Cross emergency response teams are participating in a multi agency response effort as rescue teams work to access the crash site,” it added.
The remote terrain around the reported incident is expected to pose challenges for responders attempting to reach the site.
Authorities and emergency teams have continued coordinating the response as more information is gathered.
More details expected
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said earlier that the aircraft involved was conducting a flight from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when the accident occurred at approximately 9:13am local time.
The Ministry of Roads and Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Department is leading investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
KCAA has not yet released the number of people who were aboard the helicopter or confirmed the number of casualties.
Kenya Red Cross said further updates would be provided as the response operation progresses.
“More updates to follow,” the organisation said.
Authorities are expected to issue additional information on the incident once rescue teams reach the crash site and establish the condition of those aboard.
