Kiambu: A Cessna Citation 560 jet bound for Hargeisa, Somalia, crashed into a residential area in Mwihoko, Githurai 45, on Thursday afternoon, bursting into flames on impact.

The aircraft had taken off from Wilson Airport in Nairobi but lost contact with air traffic controllers around 12:17 p.m., before crashing at approximately 2:00 p.m.

Footage from the scene showed the aircraft engulfed in flames as shocked residents watched from a distance.

The crash occurred near a military base, prompting a rapid response from Kenya Defence Forces officers, police, and emergency responders.

Githurai 45 Sub-county Police Commander Maurice Odanga confirmed the incident and noted that aviation and security experts had been dispatched to the site to investigate the cause of the crash.

Fire engines were deployed to contain the blaze, while military and police personnel secured the scene and kept crowds away.

As of the time of publishing, authorities had not confirmed the number of casualties. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.