Kenya conveyed its condolences to Ecuador following the death of the country’s National Intelligence Centre director Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, in a helicopter accident while on a private visit to Kenya.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said he spoke by telephone with Ecuador’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Davalos, assuring him of Kenya’s solidarity and support following the tragedy.
Sing’oei said Kenya was working to conclude preliminary investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash and facilitate the retrieval and repatriation of the victims’ remains.
He said the government was committed to ensuring the victims receive a dignified send-off.
The accident has triggered diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Ecuador as authorities work to establish what caused the helicopter to crash.
“Kenya stands with the people and Government of Ecuador in this moment of grief,” Sing’oei said, extending condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two victims.
Sensi-Contugi was the Director of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI), while Hollihan was his wife.
They were in Kenya on a private visit when the fatal helicopter accident occurred.
A multi-agency team intensified investigations into the aircraft crash at Ololokwe Hills in Samburu County as authorities step up efforts to recover additional human remains, victims’ belongings and aircraft wreckage.
The team, comprising homicide investigators, National Police Service personnel and forensic experts from the DCI Forensic Laboratory, was deployed to the crash site to assist the ground team in combing the area.
The crash was reported on August 19, 2026, at Ololokwe Hills within Samburu East Sub-County.
The experts joined on Friday and are searching the scene for more body parts and personal property belonging to the victims, as well as additional pieces of the aircraft wreckage that could aid investigations into the cause of the accident.
The operation is being led by Martin Nyuguto, the officer in charge of Homicide Investigations at DCI Headquarters.
Officials said they are open to all theories including murder in the incident.
The recovery exercise is expected to provide investigators with additional evidence as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Air Accident Investigations Department (AAID), which is leading and directing the probe, Friday said all recoverable debris will be collected and transported to Nairobi under their custody.
“The investigation is nevertheless progressing, and the preliminary report will be released within 30 days, with the final report expected to be released within 12 months,” AAID said.
The investigation includes the examination and documentation of the accident site and wreckage, recovery and preservation of relevant evidence, assessment of aircraft systems and components, and review of operational and maintenance records.
It also includes analysis of flight-path and other available data, coordination of specialist examinations and testing, and determination of the causal and contributory factors.
AAID said all relevant States and parties have been duly notified and are participating within their respective roles under International Civil Aviation (ICAO) Annex 13 which imposes an obligation on the State in which the aircraft accident occurs to institute an inquiry in certain circumstances and, as far as its laws permit, to conduct the inquiry.
Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA-France), being the State of Design and State of Manufacture of the aircraft and engine, has also appointed an accredited representative, supported by a team of technical advisers, to join the probe.
The representatives are expected to participate in relevant technical activities under the direction and coordination of the AAID Investigator-in-Charge, including access to relevant evidence and technical information and participation as appropriate.
The US’ National Transport Safety Board (NTSB), by virtue of the fatalities involving US citizens, has a special interest in the accident and has also appointed an expert from its Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA).
“The investigation is conducted solely for the prevention of future accidents and incidents and not for the apportionment of blame or liability,” AAID said.
The recovered remains are currently at Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi where postmortem examination was conducted on the bodies and samples collected.
