Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has mourned the 38
people who lost their lives following the Azerbaijan Airlines crash.
In a statement on Thursday, Mudavadi, who is also Foreign Affairs CS, said Kenya stands in solidarity with the affected families.
He went on to pray for strength and comfort as the victims and their families navigate these challenging times.
The Prime CS wished the 29 survivors of the plane crash a speedy recovery.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Azerbaijan following the tragic air crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, met with a heartbreaking accident, claiming the lives of 38 individuals and leaving 29 survivors injured.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and stand in solidarity with all those affected. To the survivors and crew members, we wish a swift and complete recovery. May strength and comfort find their way to all during this deeply challenging time,” Mudavadi said.
Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 caught fire as it attempted to make an emergency landing near the Kazakh city of Aktau.
The plane was en route to Grozny in Russia, but it was diverted due to fog, the airline told the BBC.
Those on board were mostly Azerbaijani nationals, but there were also some passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Azerbaijan Airlines said flights between Baku and the Russian cities of Grozny and Makhachkala would be cancelled pending an investigation into the incident.
Footage shows the aircraft heading towards the ground at high speed with its landing gear down before bursting into flames as it lands.
The airline said the plane "made an emergency landing" about 3km (1.9 miles) from Aktau.
