- A Kenya Airways flight bound for Kisumu was forced to return to Nairobi mid-air.
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The aircraft performed several loops before being redirected back to JKIA.
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Reports suggest the plane experienced right engine failure.
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The pilot safely landed at JKIA, and all passengers disembarked without incident.
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Kenya Airways is arranging an alternative flight for affected travelers.
A routine Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Kisumu took an unexpected turn on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, when it was forced to make a sudden return to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, Flight KQ654 took off from JKIA at 8:42 a.m., slightly behind its scheduled departure time of 8:35 a.m. The plane was expected to land in Kisumu by 9:25 a.m.
However, moments into the journey, the aircraft started making unusual loops and turns over Ngong Hills, Kiserian, and Ongata Rongai. Instead of proceeding with the flight, it was rerouted back to Nairobi.
Suspected Engine Malfunction
Initial reports indicate that the plane suffered a right engine failure mid-flight. Despite the technical setback, the pilot maintained control and executed a safe landing back at JKIA.
All passengers onboard disembarked safely, and alternative travel arrangements are being made for those affected. At the time of reporting, neither Kenya Airways nor the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) had issued an official statement on the incident.
Previous Kenya Airways Diversions
This is not the first time Kenya Airways has had to divert flights. In April 2024, early morning flights from JKIA to Eldoret International Airport (EIA) were redirected due to poor visibility caused by bad weather.
Similarly, in December 2023, two separate incidents saw KQ planes turn back to JKIA. On December 16, a Dubai-bound flight was diverted after air traffic control discovered tire debris on the runway during an inspection. The next day, another KQ flight heading to Kigali, Rwanda, was forced to return due to low visibility.
This latest incident raises fresh concerns over flight safety, as passengers await an official explanation from Kenya Airways.
