At least two people were on Thursday, December 8, killed when a light aircraft they were flying in crashed within Tsavo National Park.
The two included a former popular Kenya Wildlife Service warden and a co-pilot.
The pilot was identified as Mark Jenkins. Officials said the two were in a Cessna sky wagon fixed-wing plane registration number 5Y-DHS when it came down at about 11 am.
They were trying to drive cattle that included cows, camels and goats out of the park when the incident happened.
Officials said they are investigating claims the plane may have been shot from the ground.
But another official added it was too early to know the cause of the crash.
The aircraft is owned by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Teresia Igiria, the Head of Corporate Communications at the KWS, said more details will be made available soon.
“For now, we can’t share the identities of the victims until their relatives are informed,” she said.
The area has been invaded by herders with their animals for pasture. This has caused conflict between authorities and the herders. Coast regional police officer Titus Karuri said experts are investigating the accident.
