AMREF Flying Doctors has announced the resumption of its life-saving operations with the launch of the “Wings of Courage” maiden flight.
The flight is the first mission since the tragic aircraft accident of August 7, 2025, in Mwihoko, Kiambu County, that claimed the lives of four crew members and two members of the local community.
In a statement, the AMREF said that while the normal operations have resumed, it continues to pay tribute to those who perished in the accident.
“The organisation continues to mourn the loss of Captain Muthuka Munuve, Captain Brian Kimani Miaro, Dr Charles Mugo Njoroge, and Nurse Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula, along with two Mwihoko residents…the loss is felt deeply in AMREF Health Africa at large,” AMREF CEO Steve Gitau said.
He added:
“We remain steadfast in supporting the bereaved families with emotional, logistical, and practical assistance during this difficult time.”
AMREF has also pledged ongoing emotional, logistical, and practical support to the bereaved families.
The inaugural “Wings of Courage” mission, a flight from Nairobi to Belgium, carried a critically injured patient who had been involved in a severe road accident in Zanzibar.
Unable to access the urgent treatment needed locally, the patient’s family turned to AMREF Flying Doctors as their last hope.
“This flight is more than a mission; it is a message. A message that courage endures, that service continues, and that the legacy of our fallen heroes lives on in every life we save. We fly not just with wings, but with purpose,” said Gitau.
Since the accident, the organisation said it has also taken several steps to honour the fallen and strengthen its operations.
These include providing ongoing counselling, assigning dedicated liaison officers, and giving regular updates to bereaved families, ensuring their needs are met with compassion, dignity, and confidentiality.
The organisation has remained actively engaged with the Mwihoko community, offering psychosocial support, relief assistance, and maintaining a sustained presence to help residents cope with trauma and disruption.
In partnership with government agencies and forensic experts, AMREF Flying Doctors has ensured the accurate identification of all victims.
“In collaboration with government agencies and forensic experts, the organisation is ensuring accurate and respectful identification of the victims,” Gitau said.
It is also working closely with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and other investigative bodies to facilitate a thorough and transparent review of the accident.
Above all, the organisation has reaffirmed its commitment to the highest aviation safety standards and to delivering exceptional aeromedical care.
“This flight not only demonstrates resilience but also embodies the legacy of the fallen, reaffirming AMREF Flying Doctors’ unwavering mission to heal, to save, and to serve, even in moments of profound loss,” it said.
