Kenyan Newspapers Review: Report Shows Faulty Propeller Caused Francis Ogolla's Helicopter Crash

On Tuesday, April 30, the national dailies reported widely on the heavy rains and floods being experienced across the country, leaving families in tears and a trail of destruction.

The papers also had space for primary and secondary school learners who have been stranded after the Ministry of Education provided a late notice on postponing opening day.

1. The Star

The military helicopter that tragically claimed the lives of 10 service members, including Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, was not mechanically sound, preliminary findings suggest.

Investigators suspect a malfunction with the Bell UH-1H Huey II helicopter’s propeller, which witnesses reported was not moving when the chopper went down shortly after takeoff.

The impact of the crash forced the engine, located on the roof, to cave in, crushing those on board, according to people close to the investigations.

The impact also caused the fuel tank to rupture and ignite a fire, further contributing to the fatalities.

Postmortems confirmed multiple injuries on all victims. A team of experts is investigating the cause of the crash.

Its efforts, according to multiple sources, will centre on the helicopter’s mechanical state before takeoff and the pilots’ condition.

2. Daily Nation

The paper reported that a family in Shauri in Ndaragwa North Sub-county is in agony following the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl.

Mary Nyawira, a Form Two student at Pondo Secondary School, left home for the church around 10am on Sunday, April 21.

However, her mother, Alice Wangechi, said she never made it there.

Nyandarua North police boss Richard Moso said investigations are underway

3. The Standard

According to the daily, public sector workers will join striking medics as their leaders protest against what they call the emasculation of trade unions by the government.

The decision to call for demonstrations has been informed by the recent arm-twisting by the government, which has seen doctors' 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) being disregarded.

Additionally, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria's proposal to scrap permanent and pensionable positions for government workers has irked unions.

Charles Mukhwaya, the general secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Kenya (TUC-Ke) and the secretary general of the Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu), said the pronouncements attack labour laws anchored by global bodies like the International Labour Organization (ILO).

He demanded that the government stop roadside declarations and engage unions in constructive dialogue.

Mukhwaya insisted that the government respects not only the doctors' CBA but all contracts entered into by public servants.

4. People Daily

The daily reported that a 54-year-old man drowned when he tried to cross a flooded stream in Nyahururu town, Laikipia County.

Eye-witnesses said that after two hours of heavy downpour, many people who live in Maina village had been stranded on one side of the stream from Nyahururu town because Gathaara stream had burst its banks when James Njora Kahiga arrived and defied their pleas not to cross the stream.

Nyahururu police retrieved the body after it was found trapped along the stream that is one of the feeders of Thomson Falls.

"He was heading home after the rains subsided but while crossing the flooded bridge, he was swept off," said Ann Mwangi who was among those who tried to persuade him not to wade in the flooded stream.

The body was taken to Nyahururu County Hospital mortuary. Residents called on both national and county governments to move with speed and unblock drains to avoid flooding waters passing through people's homes.

5. Taifa Leo

The Kiswahili publication reported that ODM Deputy Leader Wycliffe Oparanya has called on Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula to join parties to facilitate political unity in the Western Kenya region.

The former Kakamega governor stated that these leaders should unite under one party to achieve the dream of unity among the Luhya community.

Oparanya revealed that efforts had previously been made to encourage Mudavadi and Wetang'ula to dissolve their parties and form a single party.

"We formed a committee led by Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, but so far, I haven't received any report, and I think they are still investigating the matter," said Oparanya.

Currently, Mudavadi and Wetang'ula hold prominent positions in the government from the Western region.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke