AMREF identifies staff killed in Mwihoko plane crash

By Newsflash Writer

The AMREF Flying Doctors organisation has released the names of four staff members who died in Thursday’s aircraft accident in Mwihoko, Nairobi.

In a statement issued on Friday, the humanitarian medical air service confirmed that Captain Muthuka Munuve, Captain Brian Kimani Miaro, Dr Charles Mugo Njoroge, and Nurse Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula lost their lives when one of its aircraft crashed while on duty.

“This is an immense loss — not just to the Amref Health Africa family, but to the entire nation,” the statement read. “These were not just professionals; they were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to humanity.”

Profiles of the fallen crew

Captain Munuve had served for nearly seven years as a captain and check pilot on the Cessna Citation XLS and the Pilatus PC-12, clocking over 10,000 flight hours.

Captain Miaro was an instructor pilot on the Pilatus PC-12 and was training to become a check pilot on the same aircraft. He had accumulated over 5,800 hours of flight time.

Dr Njoroge, a dedicated medical doctor, had been with AMREF for more than seven and a half years, while Nurse Omusula had served as an emergency flight nurse for over four years and eight months.

“All of them took to the skies with purpose — to heal, to save, and to serve,” the organisation said, praising their courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to saving lives.

Community impact and support

AMREF extended its condolences to the residents of Mwihoko, acknowledging the trauma caused by the crash. The organisation’s crisis teams have been working closely with the families of the deceased, meeting seven families so far to provide emotional, psychological, and logistical assistance.

In partnership with the Kenya Red Cross, AMREF has also supported displaced families in Mwihoko by supplying non-food essentials such as mattresses, blankets, collapsible beds, mosquito nets, soap, and clothing.

The organisation confirmed that the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) — initially reported missing — have now been recovered. These devices will be crucial to the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.

Some parts of the FDR are still missing, and AMREF has appealed to local residents who may find them to hand them over to investigators.

Government pathologists and other investigative authorities are working to ensure accurate identification of all victims, with AMREF pledging transparency and accountability throughout the process.

Risky mission

“This tragedy is a powerful reminder of the risks our medical and aviation teams face every day to ensure that someone, somewhere — often in remote or inaccessible locations — gets a second chance at life,” AMREF said.

The accident occurred on the anniversary of AMREF’s founding in 1957, a symbolic date that marks decades of emergency medical work across Africa. The organisation has built its reputation by braving danger zones and serving remote communities, guided by a mission rooted in courage, compassion, and an uncompromising commitment to safety.\

Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gitau vowed that the mission of the fallen crew would continue.

“We recommit ourselves to honouring the legacy of our fallen heroes — not just with words, but with action. Their mission will not end here,” he said.

As investigations continue, AMREF has requested patience and understanding from the public, promising accurate and timely updates. The organisation reaffirmed its readiness to assist affected families and communities, walking with them through what it described as “a journey of grief and healing.”