A chopper has crashed shortly after dropping off Raila Odinga in Siaya

A chopper that ferried ODM leader Raila Odinga to Siaya county where President Uhuru Kenyatta launched development projects on Sunday afternoon crashed shortly after dropping him and his entourage of four, marking a lucky escape on the first day of the Head of State’s three-day visit to Nyanza.

The Helicopter, Bell 407, Registration 5Y-PSM, had dropped Mr Odinga at Kudho Primary School in Usenge village, Onyinyore Sub-Location, South Gem location when it attempted to lift off to create space for other planes, but crashed.

The incident happened at 4.30pm.

Mr Odinga had accompanied the Head of State for the commissioning of the Wagai-Akala road.

The ODM leader, accompanied by local leaders including Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o, had received the President at Kisumu International Airport where he arrived shortly after 3pm before they left in separate choppers for Gem, Siaya County.