Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi/FILE.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has detailed ongoing efforts to identify and repatriate the remains of Kenyan nationals who died in a plane crash in South Sudan on April 27, 2026, during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.
In a formal response to a request by Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed that a Kenyan-registered Cessna aircraft crashed in the Luri Mountains near Juba while en route from Yei to Juba.
Preliminary findings suggest that adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the accident. The aircraft was carrying 15 people, including two Kenyans: Captain Francis Lagat Ruto, the pilot, and Brian Mwenge, a bank branch manager in Yei.
CS Mudavadi said the severity of the crash caused extensive burns to the victims, making visual identification impossible and necessitating DNA testing. Samples were collected and transported to Kenya on May 2, 2026, for forensic analysis.
According to the report, 10 victims, including Captain Ruto, have since been positively identified and their remains released to families on June 12, 2026.
Captain Ruto’s remains were repatriated to Kenya on June 16, 2026, aboard Premier Airlines Flight and received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
However, the remains of Mwenge are yet to be conclusively identified. The CS said additional DNA samples from family members have been requested to facilitate further forensic matching.
The process involves submissions to approved laboratories, including the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Rayan Medical Laboratories in Eldoret.
Mudavadi confirmed that the aircraft operator has undertaken to meet the costs of identification and repatriation.
On communication with families, CS Mudavadi said regular updates have been provided through the Kenya Embassy in Juba, including progress on recovery, forensic analysis, and repatriation arrangements.
The most recent engagement with families was held on June 16, 2026, where psychosocial support and counselling were offered.
A multi-agency committee comprising Kenyan and South Sudanese officials, the airline operator, forensic experts, legal representatives, and family representatives has also been overseeing the identification and repatriation process.
The Ministry added that it continues to engage South Sudanese authorities on the ongoing investigation into the crash.
Preliminary indications point to poor weather conditions as a possible factor, though a final report is still awaited.
Mudavadi expressed condolences to the affected families and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring full identification, repatriation, and support for all victims.
He said it will continue monitoring the process until all outstanding identifications and repatriation arrangements are completed.
