2006 Kenyan Air Force Harbin Y-12 crash explained
On 10 April 2006, a Kenya Air Force Harbin Y-12 flying from Nairobi to Marsabit crashed on Mount Marsabit as it approached Marsabit Airport killing 14 of the occupants on board, including a number of politicians. The flight to the region was carrying a peace delegation meant to mediate regional feuds.
Background
Purpose of the flight
The flight to the region, carrying a peace delegation, was to mediate regional feuds, sometimes deadly, between the nomadic communities of the Borana, Gabra, and Rendille people at the Ethiopia–Kenya border.[2] [3] Incidents such as livestock rustling and inter-clan fighting, most notably from the Turbi massacre, left 90 people dead in 2005 alone.[4] Additional tensions and fighting had broken out due to a scarcity of resources mostly caused by a food crisis in the region.[5] The planned peace talks, which were to be held at Marsabit's Pastoral Centre,[6] represented the first time that the leaders of the Borana, Gabra, and Rendille people had agreed to initiate peace talks and come up with a comprehensive peace programme after years of hostilities.[7]
Aircraft
The aircraft involved in the accident was a six year old twin-engine turboprop Harbin Y-12 II, with registration KAF 132.[8] The aircraft was manufactured in 2006.
Accident
The aircraft was scheduled to fly from Moi Air Base, Nairobi, to Marsabit Airport. The aircraft took off from Moi Air Base at 9am local time.[4]
Victims
- Mirugi Kariuki MP, assistant minister of internal security
- Titus Ngoyoni MP, assistant minister of regional development
- Bonaya Godana MP, deputy leader of the official opposition
- Abdi Sasura MP
- Guracha Galgallo MP
- Abdullahi Adan, member of the East African parliament
- Peter King'ola, Moyale district commissioner
Investigation
The plane crashed due to poor weather over Marsabit Hill.[9] Heavy fog caused the plane to crash as it approached the runway.[10]
Reactions
Kenya's President, Mwai Kibaki, issued a statement appealing for calm and prayers and said the Kenyan government had sent two planes to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts. He also added that he had received the news with shock and disbelief, especially since the delegation of officials onboard the plane were headed to a peace mission in Marsabit.[9] [11] Three days of national mourning were declared by Mwai Kibaki.[12]
The Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, Francis ole Kaparo, announced that Parliamentary activities were adjourned until the funeral of the victims was over.[13] This was the second time that the Parliament was disrupted by the death of a Minister of Parliament; the first time being in 1975 when Josiah Mwangi Kariuki was murdered.
Notes and References
- Web site: Accident Harbin Y-12-II 132 Monday 10 April 2006 . Aviation Safety Network . 26 February 2024.
- News: Kenyans mourn air crash victims . 10 February 2023 . . 11 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060412174333/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4898558.stm . 12 April 2006 . British English . live.
- News: In pictures: Kenya plane tragedy . 12 August 2024 . . 11 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060413213306/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4900432.stm . 13 April 2006 . live . English.
- News: Peace mission tragedy . 12 August 2024 . . 10 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220421160121/https://nation.africa/kenya/news/peace-mission-tragedy-515036 . 21 April 2022 . live . English.
- News: Emily . Wax . Plane Crash in Kenya Kills 14 Members of Peace Delegation . 12 August 2024 . . 11 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240812110541/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/04/11/plane-crash-in-kenya-kills-14-members-of-peace-delegation/1bbdd840-1f75-4418-a431-539597d026f3/ . 12 August 2024 . live . English.
- News: Leaders on peace mission killed in plane crash . 14 August 2024 . . 24 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105232146/https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/dn2/leaders-on-peace-mission-killed-in-plane-crash--918870 . 5 January 2024 . live.
- News: Maureen . Kinyanjui . Crash that killed 6 Kibaki era MPs on peace mission . 12 August 2024 . . 10 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230410080600/https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2023-04-10-crash-that-killed-6-kibaki-era-mps-on-peace-mission/ . 10 April 2023 . live.
- News: Acidente com bimotor Y12 da Força Aérea do Quênia . Kenya Air Force Y12 twin-engine accident . 13 August 2024 . Revista Força Aérea . 13 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240813123736/https://forcaaerea.com.br/acidente-com-bimotor-y12-da-forca-aerea-do-quenia/ . 13 August 2024 . live . Portuguese.
- News: Alphonso . Van Marsh . Kenyan plane crash kills 14 . 10 February 2023 . . 10 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230210012212/https://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/04/10/kenya.planecrash/ . 10 February 2023 . English . live.
- News: MPs die in Kenya air crash . 10 February 2023 . . 10 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230210012212/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2006/4/10/mps-die-in-kenya-air-crash . 10 February 2023 . live . en.
- News: Lacey . Marc . 10 April 2006 . 14 Killed as Plane Carrying Kenyan Politicians Crashes . en-US . . 10 February 2024 . 0362-4331 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210913153902/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/world/africa/14-killed-as-plane-carrying-kenyan-politicians-crashes.html . 13 September 2021 . live.
- News: Air crash kills Kenya politicians . 13 August 2024 . . 10 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060412174318/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4895572.stm . 12 April 2006 . live.
- News: Rais Kibaki aongoza wakenya kuomboleza . President Kibaki leads Kenyans to mourn . 12 August 2024 . . 11 April 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240812172007/https://swahili.cri.cn/1/2006/04/11/1@35062.htm . 12 August 2024 . live . Swahili.
