However, a report by The Standard alleged that the pilot-in-command was intoxicated, thus unfit to fly, with another report by The Daily Nation raising nationwide safety issues involving airstrips, including the one where the aircraft was due to land, finding that previous safety recommendations issued to improve airstrips had largely been unimplemented.

[7] Furthermore, militia groups suspected of being part of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), also accused of participating in the Turbi Massacre, were attacking Kenyans living along the border.

[9] The Kenyan Government was accused of contributing to the region's tensions, among others in the country, citing corruption, its failure to equally and adequately distribute its resources, and secure conflict ridden districts.

[7] Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki stated that Mirugi Kariuki, an Member of Parliament and assistant minister of Internal Security, "personally told me that it was a challenge to see what it is that makes these people not be friends, and he was determined to have them reconcile.

[13][15] According to military spokesman Bogita Ongeri and General Staff Daudi Tonje, the aircraft was properly maintained and had not experienced any issues.

[17] The crew consisted of the pilot-in-command, Major David Macharia Njoroge, who had more than 2,000 hours of flying experience and was promoted to the rank of Major the year before, having joined the Kenyan Army in July 1997,[18][19][13] the co-pilot, Captain Joseph Njogu Muriithi, Senior Sergeant and Air Force flight engineer Joseph Muriithi, and Senior Private Trevor Mwamunge.

[16] As the flight approached the airstrip, the pilot-in-command decided to abort the landing due to the presence of heavy fog and proceeded to circle around Marsabit.

[26] Out of the 17 occupants on board, 4 passengers initially survived the accident being seriously injured, but 1 later succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a hospital in Nairobi.

[35] Kenya's President, Mwai Kibaki, issued a statement appealing for calm and prayers, adding that he had received the news with shock and disbelief, especially since the delegation of officials onboard the plane were headed to a peace mission in Marsabit.

[37][4] The Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, Francis ole Kaparo, announced that Parliamentary activities were adjourned until the funeral of the victims was over.

[1] Marc Cassady, an advisor to Parliament, stated, "These were the powerbrokers of this part of Kenya," adding that, "Essentially, this wiped out a regional political class.

[5] Public concern about the country's air safety arose following the accident, considering that two plane crashes involving senior members of the government occurred in less than three years.

"[45] Government sources speculated that the flight could have either been shot down or been struck by an object,[16] with some officials saying that bad weather conditions and low visibility may have caused the accident.

Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere stated on 11 April that "The report basically points to the weather as the probable cause.

[5][33] According to a report published by The Standard on 23 April, the pilot-in-command, Major David Macharia Njoroge, had been drinking at a bar a few hours before the flight, watching an FA Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal F.C.

[18] Shortly after the accident, investigators took blood samples from the bodies of the pilots, which were to be examined by Kenya's Government Chemist, however, the results of these tests remain unknown.

Rather, it was published as a result of a greater and nobler reason: Putting on the spotlight the relevant authorities' failure to enforce measures already in place to ensure air safety now and in future.

As a result, the unmanned airstrip had no available ground crew that could have assisted the pilots and provided them guidance as they were attempting to land in low visibility.

[22]: 435 Following a plane crash in 2003 that resulted in the deaths of Labour Minister Ahmed Khalif and the aircraft's two pilots, a Commission of Inquiry, led by senior counsel Lee Muthoga and named the Muthoga Inquiry, concluded in 2005 that most airstrips in Kenya were poorly maintained, which meant that most airstrips were unusable, lacked up-to-date weather reports, or were near tall buildings, slums, or tall trees.

Recommendations that were issued as a result of the accident aiming at improving general oversight and quality of Kenya's airstrips were found to have not been sufficiently implemented, if any.

[21][43] Additionally, in 1997, 2001, and 2002, the International Civil Aviation Organization had conducted safety oversight audits and had also issued recommendations to address the problems identified.