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A chopper that had ferried ODM leader Raila Odinga from Kisumu to Gem in Siaya County crash-landed at take off, shortly after dropping him and his entourage.

The pilot and four passengers escaped with minor injuries.

A statement by ODM released on Sunday evening confirmed the incident but observed that Odinga was safe.

The former premier is hosting President Uhuru Kenyatta, who arrived in Kisumu on Sunday, for a 3-Day working tour, including Madarka Day celebrations.

UPDATE

It is being reported that an aircraft engineer at Wilson Airport is being questioned by police following the crash on Sunday of a helicopter that had just transported Odinga to Siaya.

The engineer is apparently being questioned after he allegedly undertook an unauthorized service on the helicopter when he was not officially on duty.

The helicopter, a Bell 407 registered as 5Y-PSM, crashed very soon after takeoff having dropped Raila Odinga at Kudho Primary School in Gem, Siaya County.

The man in question is said to be a 42-year-old ex-military officer with 10 years experience in aircraft maintenance, diagnostics, flight safety and air accident investigations.