ODM Deputy Party Leader Narrates Terrifying Wilson Airport Plane Incident
Godfrey Osotsi, the Deputy Party Leader of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has shared a detailed account of the frightening moments he experienced after surviving a plane accident at Wilson Airport on the evening of Friday, March 20, 2026.
The Vihiga Senator was among dozens of passengers on board an aircraft that encountered difficulties while landing at the busy Nairobi airport. According to official reports, the plane had departed from Kisumu and was approaching Wilson Airport when the incident occurred.
During landing, the aircraft veered off the runway in what aviation authorities later described as a “runway excursion,” a situation where a plane overshoots or leaves the runway surface.
Despite the tense situation, all 39 people on board—34 passengers and five crew members—escaped without any injuries. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed that the aircraft went off the runway at approximately 8:55pm but assured the public that everyone on board was safe.
The authority also noted that the plane remained at the scene as recovery operations began, while normal airport activities continued without disruption.
Speaking after the incident, Senator Osotsi described the experience as deeply unsettling, recalling how the aircraft appeared to struggle as it attempted to land.
He said the moments leading up to the plane coming to a stop were filled with fear and uncertainty. However, he expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal, saying he believed divine protection played a role in ensuring that all passengers walked away unharmed.
The legislator went on to praise the pilot for demonstrating exceptional skill and calmness under pressure. According to Osotsi, the pilot made a critical decision to steer the aircraft off the runway, a move he believes prevented a much more serious disaster.
He explained that had the aircraft continued on its path, the situation could have escalated into a catastrophic fire, putting many lives at risk.
However, even as he acknowledged the pilot’s efforts, Osotsi raised serious concerns about the airport’s emergency preparedness.
He criticized what he described as a lack of immediate response following the incident. The senator pointed out that there were no visible emergency teams on standby and no ambulance present to assist passengers in case of injuries.
He termed the situation alarming, arguing that such lapses could have had devastating consequences if the accident had resulted in casualties. According to him, the absence of basic emergency services raises critical questions about safety standards at one of the country’s key domestic airports.
In a striking revelation, Osotsi noted that the incident came just days after he had formally requested a statement in the Senate regarding safety concerns at Wilson Airport. He said the events of that night had only strengthened his earlier concerns about the state of the airport’s infrastructure.
The senator specifically highlighted issues such as a flooded runway and poor lighting systems, which he believes may have contributed to the dangerous landing conditions. He warned that unless these challenges are urgently addressed, similar incidents could occur in the future.
His remarks are now likely to spark renewed debate about aviation safety in Kenya, particularly at Wilson Airport, which handles a significant volume of domestic and regional flights.
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