Scare as Plane Carrying Azimio Leaders Skids Off Runway at Kakuma Airstrip

There was a scare at Kakuma Airstrip in Turkana County on Wednesday evening after a fixed-wing aircraft carrying politicians allied to the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition skidded off the runway.

The plane registration number 5Y-SPZ veered off the runway after one of its rear tires burst moments before it took off, according to Turkana County Police Commander Samwel Ndanyi.

Ndayi said the plane was carrying 10 people including eight politicians and two pilots. All occupants escaped unscathed.

“There is no cause for alarm as we have deployed officers from Kakuma police station who are manning the caravan until a new tire will be brought,” he said.

The leaders were part of a team accompanying Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga during his campaign tour of Turkana County. Odinga was not on the plane. 

The aircraft was among three fixed-wing caravan planes which were part of the Azimio procession.

Odinga, who is giving his fifth try at the presidency, earlier held a series of rallies in Morulem (Turkana East), Kalemorok (Turkana South) and Kakuma (Turkana West) as he continued to drum up support for his presidential bid ahead of the August 9th elections.