Divers have on Sunday recovered the wreckage of a chopper that crashed in Lake Nakuru yesterday.
Parts of the plane including the Pilot's file were also recovered when they washed up on the shores of the lake.
However, the pilot and passengers are still missing.
[caption caption="wreckage of the plane that washed up on the shore"]
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[caption caption="Police recovering wreckage from the aircraft"]
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On Sunday afternoon, while in Kitale, National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga sent his condolences to families of the deceased.
"On behalf of the NASA Coalition and on my own behalf, I extend sincere condolences to the families, friends, and relatives of the five Kenyans who died aboard the helicopter that crashed in Lake Nakuru yesterday morning," he stated.
He described the pilot of the aircraft Captain Apollo Malowa as a dear friend adding that they were related.
He called on the government to marshall all its resources to ensure that all the bodies are recovered from the lake today so the families can mourn their kin and prepare their decent send-off
"The bottlenecks so far witnessed in this rescue operation should remind all our county governments to invest in disaster response mechanisms for anticipatable disasters in areas of their jurisdiction," he concluded.
On Saturday, the chopper which was reportedly carrying four men and a woman crashed into the Lake.
Reports indicate that the crash occurred a few minutes after the chopper took off from the Jarika Lodge in Nakuru.
Here is the statement by the opposition leader:
[caption caption="NASA Leader Raila Odinga Message of condolence"]
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Witnesses disclosed that the aircraft was flying low before it crashed.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika confirmed that three members of her media team were among five people in the chopper.
The aircraft was expected to ferry more journalists to a campaign rally later.
Nakuru County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha confirmed the incident stating that they were waiting for a boat to conduct the rescue.
We know there were five occupants in the chopper, we don't know who they are, we are trying to establish their names," the County Commissioner stated.
[caption caption="Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika"]
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In a statement, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) clarified that the helicopter was owned and operated by Flex Air Charters run by Captain Bootsy Mutiso.
The Authority dismissed earlier media reports that the aircraft belonged to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
[caption caption="recovery operation in Lake Nakuru"]
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UPDATES:
Sunday Updates:
14:38: The story was updated with NASA leader Raila Odinga's condolence message to families of the deceased.
12:40: The Story was updated with the recovery of wreckage that had washed up on the shore of the lake with Photos of the same.
Saturday Updates:
13:20: The story was updated with a statement from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
11:56: The story was updated with a statement by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika concerning the occupants of the chopper.
11:33: The story was updated with a statement from Nakuru County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha.
