Nairobi - Kenya's newly elected President Mwai Kibaki announced on Saturday that an official investigation of a plane crash that claimed the life of his labour minister and two pilots.
The plane carrying four Kenyan government ministers crashed on take-off on Friday in the western part of the country, killing Labour Minister Ahmad Mohammed Khalif.
It was not clear why the two-motor plane failed to gain adequate height on the take-off from the west Kenyan city of Busia.
Clipped electrical cables
Internal Security Minister Chris Murungaru told a news conference Friday night in Nairobi that the light plane hit a pothole on the runway, lost control and crashed into an electrical pole. But Interior Minister Moody Awori later said the plane had not gained enough height.
"It veered off and crashed about 500 metres from the runway. It must have crashed on an abandoned or empty house," he said.
Witnesses also claimed the plane failed to gain height and clipped electrical cables before crashing, Nation Radio reported on Friday.
There were eight passengers and two crew on board for the chartered flight to the city of Kisumu.
Injured ministers out of danger
Information Minister Raphael Tuju was seriously hurt in the crash, but was out of danger, Murungaru said. Water Minister Martha Karua was slightly injured while the minister of state in the vice- president's office, Linah Jebii Kilimo, was uninjured. Two other members of parliament were also injured.
South Africa President Thabo Mbeki has extended heartfelt condolences from the government and people of South Africa to President Mwai Kibaki, the government and the people of Kenya on the passing away of Khalif while wishing the injured a speedy recovery. - Sapa-DPA
RIP
