Senator Survives Plane Accident at Wilson Airport

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osostsi survived a plane crash after a passenger flight operated on behalf of Safarilink Aviation arriving from Kisumu International Airport veered off the runway at Wilson Airport on Friday, March 20th, 2026 evening. The incident caused a temporary disruption, but all 39 passengers and crew escaped unharmed. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said the incident occurred at 2055HRS. Kenya Airports Authority said emergency teams safely evacuated all thirty-nine passengers and crew members, with no injuries reported. “We wish to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe, with no injuries reported. The aircraft remains on site, and recovery efforts are currently underway,” the authority said in a statement. KAA added that airport operations at Wilson remain normal and reiterated its commitment to “the highest standards of safety at all our airports.” Police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga also commented on the incident, saying, “This happened this evening, less than an hour ago. We have only the scantiest information so far – the plane was flying from Kisumu to Wilson Airport. No injuries have been reported. Further details will be availed,” he said. Witnesses said passengers were seen bolting out of the plane after it landed. A video circulating online showed passengers on the runway while officials moved them to safety. Osotsi has called for the immediate closure of Wilson Airport following the Friday evening incident in which a passenger aircraft he had boarded veered off the runway. In a statement following the incident, Osotsi—one of the thirty-nine passengers on board—called for the shutdown of the facility to allow for a comprehensive upgrade to meet international safety standards. “I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident… Wilson Airport must [be] closed and comprehensively upgraded… The safety of Kenyans and all air passengers must never [be] compromised,” he said. The Senator described the landing as a “crash-landing,” praising the pilot’s actions for averting a potentially catastrophic fire by steering the aircraft off the runway. However, he sharply criticised what he termed as a lack of emergency preparedness, alleging that there were no immediate rescue operations, no ambulance on site, and no emergency response team available to assist passengers. “This level of unpreparedness [is] unacceptable for an airport of such significance,” Osotsi said. Failing infrastructure He further linked the incident to broader concerns he had previously raised in the Senate regarding deteriorating infrastructure at the airport, including claims of a flooded runway and faulty lighting systems. The politician argued that such conditions often force the diversion of evening flights toJomo Kenyatta International Airport, questioning the decision to clear the affected flight at Wilson.