NAIROBI. Ecuador’s intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife were among seven people killed when a tourist helicopter crashed in Kenya’s Samburu County on Wednesday.
The other five victims were Americans, according to the U.S. State Department.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, operated by Lady Lori Kenya Ltd, crashed near Mount Ololokwe at about 9:13 a.m. while flying from Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro.
“The aircraft was on a flight from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro with seven souls on board when the accident occurred at approximately 0913 hrs local time,” KCAA said.
The authority said Kenya’s Air Accident Investigation Department was leading investigations into the cause of the crash.
Ecuador’s presidency confirmed the deaths of Sensi-Contugi, 44, director-general of the country’s National Intelligence Center, and his wife Stephany Hollihan.
“The National Government expresses its most heartfelt condolences over the sensitive passing of Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife Stephany Hollihan,” the presidency said.
One of the five American victims was identified as NBCUniversal journalist José Alberto Suárez. In an internal memo, NBCUniversal described him as “a deeply respected leader and beloved friend and colleague,” adding: “José was an exceptional colleague and mentor to many.”
Lady Lori Helicopters said it was “deeply saddened” by the accident.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident,” the company said.
The crash is the latest in a series of fatal helicopter accidents in Kenya. In 2024, military chief Gen Francis Ogolla and several other officers were killed when an army helicopter crashed in western Kenya. In February 2026, another helicopter crash in Nandi County killed six people, including a member of parliament, while at least 10 soldiers died in a military helicopter crash near Nairobi in June 2021.
Samburu is a major tourist destination known for its wildlife conservancies and rugged landscape.
The cause of Wednesday’s crash has not yet been established.