Signal for Missing Nairobi-Bound Aircraft Traced, Search and Rescue Operation Ongoing

Authorities say phone signals from the FlySax aircraft that went missing on Tuesday have been located in the Aberdares, Nyandarua County.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Kenya Wildlife Services Assistant Director in charge of Mountain Areas Simon Gitau said the search and rescue operation will be held in Kinangop, where the signals were reportedly located.

“We are not sure how long the search is likely to take but Njabini remains an area of interest,” he said.

The search, which was called off on Tuesday night resumed at 4am, but aerial hunt for the plane was being hindered by foggy weather, Gitau said.

The Cesna C208 light aircraft was headed to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after taking off from an airstrip in Kitale, Trans-Nzoia County at 4pm.

Kenya Airports Authority said the plane was some 60 kilometres from its destination, when it went missing at around 5pm. Eight passengers and two crew members were on board and were expected to land at JKIA more than an hour later.

The plane is run by East Africa Safari Air Express, a subsidiary of Fly540.

“At present, the East Africa Safari Air Express has no knowledge of the location or condition of the aircraft or its occupants,” the airline said in the statement.

“Relatives and next of kin (of the passengers and crew) can convene at Weston Hotel for more information.”