ODM Senator Godfrey Osotsi has recounted a terrifying ordeal after surviving a plane crash at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, raising serious concerns over safety failures at the facility.
In a statement, Osotsi said he was among 39 passengers aboard a Safarilink flight, alongside three crew members and the pilot, when the aircraft crash-landed on Friday evening.
“I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident at Wilson Airport,” he said.
The senator praised the pilot for averting a potential catastrophe, noting that the quick decision to steer the plane off the runway and stall it likely prevented a deadly fire.
However, Osotsi sharply criticized airport authorities, revealing that there was no immediate emergency response after the crash.
“There was no ambulance on site and no emergency response team came to our aid. This level of unpreparedness is unacceptable,” he lamented.
He further pointed to longstanding safety concerns at the airport, citing a flooded runway and faulty lighting system, which he says have forced frequent flight diversions to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The incident comes just days after Osotsi had raised similar concerns in the Senate, demanding accountability over Wilson Airport’s deteriorating infrastructure.
Following the crash, the senator is now calling for drastic action.
“Wilson Airport must be closed and comprehensively upgraded to meet international safety standards before it is allowed to resume full operations,” he urged.
No fatalities were reported in the incident, though investigations into the cause of the crash are expected.
