Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was among 39 people aboard a plane that crash-landed at Wilson Airport on March 20, 2026. All passengers and crew escaped unharmed, though the senator criticized the lack of emergency services. Investigations into the cause are ongoing.
On the evening of Friday, March 20, 2026, a plane arriving from Kisumu veered off the runway during landing at Wilson Airport in what authorities called a runway excursion. The aircraft had 34 passengers and five crew members, totaling 39 people, all of whom escaped unharmed, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed. KAA stated: “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. Airport operations at Wilson Airport remain normal.” Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, a passenger, recounted: “I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident at Wilson Airport this evening. I was among the 39 passengers on board the flight.” He commended the pilot for showing “remarkable skill and presence of mind” in steering the plane off the runway, averting a worse outcome and potential fire. Osotsi criticized the emergency response: “It is deeply troubling that despite the pilot’s efforts to save lives, there were no immediate rescue operations from the airport management. There was no ambulance on site.” The incident followed Osotsi’s recent Senate request for a statement on Wilson Airport’s safety concerns, including a flooded runway and faulty lighting. “Today’s events have only reinforced those concerns. The runway was flooded, and the lighting system was not functioning properly,” he said. KAA said investigations continue.
