Ecuador intelligence chief among seven killed in Kenya helicopter crash

Ecuador’s intelligence chief and five American tourists were among seven people killed when a helicopter crashed in Kenya’s remote Samburu County on Wednesday. The crash occurred at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time near Mount Ololokwe during a scenic flight from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro River. The victims included Michele Sensi-Contugi, 44, who had served as director of Ecuador’s Centre of Strategic Intelligence (CIES) under President Daniel Noboa since January 2024, and his wife, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan, 42, who also held U.S. citizenship. Five of the seven victims were Americans, according to the U.S. State Department.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the Eurocopter EC130 B4, operated by Lady Lori Helicopters, was on a sightseeing tour. Rescue teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, reached the wooded crash site, where images showed smoke rising from the burning wreckage. Samburu County, known for its wildlife conservancies and dramatic landscapes, is a popular destination for tourists seeking safaris and scenic flights.

Ecuador’s government declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday, with President Noboa expressing condolences for Sensi-Contugi and Hollihan. Sensi-Contugi had previously served as a minister in Noboa’s cabinet for four months before leading the CIES. Hollihan founded Guayaquil-based Sensi Studio, a fashion brand celebrated for blending traditional Ecuadorian materials with modern design.

Among the American victims identified were NBCUniversal journalist José Alberto Suárez and Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte. NBCUniversal described Suárez as a respected leader and mentor in a company memo. U.S. Representative Carlos Antonio Gimenez of Florida offered prayers for the families of those killed.

Helicopter crashes in Kenya have occurred with disturbing frequency. In February, a crash in Nandi County killed six, including a lawmaker. In April 2024, military chief Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla died when an army helicopter crashed, leaving only two survivors. In June 2021, at least 10 soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash near Nairobi.

The KCAA and Lady Lori Helicopters have not yet commented on the cause of Wednesday’s crash.

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