AMREF Flying doctors CEO Stephen Gitau addressing the media on August 15, 2025 at Wilson Airport.
By Peace Muthoka.
Nairobi, Kenya – AMREF Flying Doctors has made an emotional return to the skies with the launch of its “Wings of Courage” maiden mission — the first flight since the tragic Mwihoko aircraft accident on August 7, 2025.
The accident claimed the lives of four dedicated crew members — Captain Muthuka Munuve, Captain Brian Kimani Miaro, Dr Charles Mugo Njoroge, and Nurse Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula along with two members of the Mwihoko community. Their loss, described by AMREF as deeply felt across the organisation, continues to cast a shadow even as operations resume.
“We remain steadfast in supporting the bereaved families with emotional, logistical, and practical assistance during this difficult time,” said AMREF Flying doctors CEO Stephen Gitau.
The inaugural “Wings of Courage” mission, from Nairobi to Belgium, transported a critically injured patient from Zanzibar who had been involved in a severe road accident. Unable to access urgent treatment locally, the family turned to AMREF Flying Doctors as their last hope.
“This flight is more than a mission it is a message,” Gitau said. “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.”
Since the accident, AMREF has taken deliberate steps to honour its fallen colleagues and strengthen its operations. These include providing counselling and dedicated liaison officers for affected families, engaging with the Mwihoko community to offer psychosocial and relief support, working with authorities to ensure respectful victim identification, and cooperating with aviation regulators on the ongoing accident investigation.
The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to the highest safety standards and exceptional aeromedical care, promising that each mission will carry forward the spirit and dedication of those who gave their lives in service.
As “Wings of Courage” soars, it serves as both a lifeline for patients and a living tribute to the bravery, compassion, and sacrifice of AMREF’s heroes.
