Vihiga Senator Urges Urgent Upgrades at Wilson Airport After Plane Crash-Landing

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has called for immediate safety improvements at Wilson Airport following a dramatic crash-landing of a Safarilink Airlines flight that left 39 passengers and crew shaken but unharmed.

Senator Osotsi, who was among the passengers on the flight, thanked God for their safety and praised the pilot’s quick thinking in steering the aircraft off the runway to prevent a potentially catastrophic fire. “Thanks to the pilot’s remarkable skill and presence of mind, disaster was averted,” he said.

However, Senator Osotsi criticized the airport’s lack of emergency response, noting that there was no ambulance on site and no rescue team came to assist passengers immediately after the incident. He described the situation as “unacceptable for an airport of such national importance.”

The incident comes just days after Senator Osotsi raised concerns in the Senate about deteriorating infrastructure and safety risks at Wilson Airport. He pointed out issues such as a flooded runway and non-functioning lighting systems, which often lead to evening flights being diverted to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. He questioned why this particular flight was allowed to land despite the known hazards.

Senator Osotsi has called for the airport to be temporarily closed and fully upgraded to meet international safety standards before resuming full operations. “The safety of Kenyans and all air passengers must never be compromised. Urgent action is required to prevent future accidents,” he emphasized.

Passengers on board described a tense ordeal as the plane stalled on the runway before coming to a safe stop. While no injuries were reported, the incident has reignited public debate over the preparedness and infrastructure of Wilson Airport.

Senator Osotsi’s statement underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms at the airport to ensure passenger safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.