Panic briefly erupted earlier today at a local airstrip in Kabarnet after a helicopter carrying Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Kipchumba Sudi and several other leaders was seen emitting flames from its tailpipe just moments before take-off. The fiery display sparked alarm among onlookers and security personnel, prompting an immediate ground response.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the aircraft — reportedly meant to ferry the delegation to an event in the region — showed visible flames or sparks near its rear exhaust section while stationary where it had been packed.
In a viral video shared online, the incident occurred before the helicopter could ascend, leading to a temporary halt in operations as ground crews assessed the situation.
At the time of reporting, there are no confirmed injuries, and MP Sudi and other passengers are reported to be safe and unharmed.
Local authorities, including aviation and safety officials, are said to be investigating the cause of the mechanical anomaly, although no official statement has yet been released by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) or the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID).
The aviation-related incident comes amid ongoing concerns over aircraft safety in Kenya after a number of high-profile crashes and emergency situations in recent years.
Government agencies, including the AAID and Roads and Transport Ministry, have been strengthening safety protocols and investigation mechanisms to improve aviation oversight.
Oscar Sudi is a long-serving MP for Kapseret Constituency and a prominent political figure in the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. His involvement in high-profile national politics has frequently placed him in the spotlight, though this appears to be an isolated aviation incident rather than a political development.
