A light aircraft carrying new government ministers has hit power lines and
crashed shortly after taking off in western Kenya, say police.
Labour Minister Ahmed Khalif and at least one pilot have been killed in the
accident in Busia. The plane was reported to have been carrying 10 people.

At least three other government ministers are reported to be seriously
injured in the crash, including Martha Karua (water) and Lina Chebii Kilimo
(office of the vice-president).

MP George Khaniri is also believed to have been injured. Rescue teams are at
the scene.

New ministers

Speaking from the scene of the crash, MP Moses Wetangula told Nation
television the plane was badly mangled.

The new ministers were sworn in earlier this month
"If you look at the wreckage you couldn't believe anybody came out of it,"
he said.

"The plane took off, the runway was too short, it wasn't able to pick up to
the relevant height and it hit electrical cables near the road," he added.

Reports said the officials had been visiting the town as part of
celebrations for the election victory late last year of the National Rainbow
Coalition.

The BBC East Africa correspondent in Nairobi, Ishbel Matheson, says that
Kenyans have been reacting with shock and horror to the news.

She says the accident looks certain to dampen the mood of great optimism in
Kenya since the election. The new cabinet was inaugurated earlier this
month.

The country's leader, Mwai Kibaki, is currently in hospital receiving
treatment for a blood clot, sustained after a car crash during the election
campaign.

***The dead Minister happens to be the only Minister of Somali extraction in
the new Rainbow Coalition Government of Kibaki.




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