In a tragic escalation of Sudan’s ongoing conflict, Kenyan pilot Captain Michael George Oluoch Nyamodi was killed on May 3, 2025, when his cargo plane was targeted by Sudanese military artillery at Nyala Airport in South Darfur.
Eyewitness reports have now revealed additional details about the fatal attack. Local sources indicate that Nyamodi’s aircraft had been making multiple short-duration landings at Nyala Airport in the weeks leading up to the incident, typically remaining on the ground for less than 90 minutes – just enough time to unload cargo and refuel.
On the day of the attack, the Boeing 727 was reportedly making its second approach to the airfield when SAF artillery units positioned approximately 18 kilometres from the airport perimeter launched their assault. Satellite imagery reviewed by military analysts shows the precision strike targeted the aircraft’s approach path rather than random bombardment, suggesting detailed intelligence about the flight’s schedule.
“The timing and accuracy of the strike indicates this was a planned operation based on specific intelligence about this particular aircraft,” said Colonel (Ret.) Hassan Ibrahim, a military analyst specialising in the Sudan conflict. “This was not a random attack on the airfield.”
Nyamodi, a seasoned Airline Transport Pilot with extensive experience in challenging environments, was flying a Boeing 727 when Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched a devastating airstrike. The attack also claimed the life of South Sudanese pilot Samson Ohide and several other crew members.
Known for his ambitious yet controversial flying career, Nyamodi had a history of pushing regulatory boundaries. In 2010, he was detained in South Sudan for aviation violations, and his aircraft had previously been grounded by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority due to compliance issues.
Sudanese military sources claim the aircraft was suspected of transporting weapons for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group locked in a brutal conflict with the SAF. The plane’s suspicious movements, including sightings near Bosaso, Puntland, and N’Djamena in December 2024, had allegedly raised military intelligence concerns.
Flight tracking data obtained by regional security analysts shows the Boeing 727 made at least seven trips between undisclosed locations in the UAE and RSF-controlled territories in the three months preceding the fatal attack. These flights reportedly followed irregular patterns, often with transponders deactivated during critical portions of the journey – a common tactic used to avoid detection when carrying sensitive cargo.
A UN monitoring group report, released just days before the incident, had flagged the aircraft’s registration number (5Y-CKD) in connection with “suspicious logistical operations” potentially violating the arms embargo on the region.
The incident has further complicated diplomatic relations between Kenya and Sudan. Sudanese officials have accused Kenyan President William Ruto of supporting the RSF, pointing to high-profile meetings with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) at State House.
Intelligence sources now suggest a possible collaboration between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates to funnel support to the RSF. This alleged coalition reportedly aims to strengthen the paramilitary group’s position in the resource-rich regions of Sudan, particularly those containing valuable mineral deposits. Multiple diplomatic cables indicate shared strategic interests between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi regarding Sudan’s internal power dynamics.
The Kenyan government has vehemently denied these allegations, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson stating: “Kenya remains committed to peace and stability in the region and does not take sides in the internal conflicts of our neighbours.”
Nyamodi’s LinkedIn profile painted a picture of a highly qualified pilot—an Airline Transport Pilot for Boeing 727 and 737 aircraft, a flight instructor, and an examiner. Colleagues described him as “sharp and ambitious,” but also noted a “streak of recklessness” that seemed to define his career.
Following the airstrike, Nyamodi’s body was transported to Chad for identification and repatriation. His family began funeral arrangements, holding prayer meetings at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on May 7 and May 9, 2025.
His death serves as a stark reminder of the human toll of ongoing conflicts, where individuals like Nyamodi become unwitting casualties in complex geopolitical struggles.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the airstrike and Nyamodi’s final mission. The incident raises critical questions about aviation safety, arms trafficking, and the dangerous intersection of commercial aviation with active conflict zones.
International response has been swift, with the East African Community calling for an independent investigation into the incident. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency session to discuss the escalating proxy involvement in Sudan’s civil war.
A spokesperson for the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed allegations of collaboration with Kenya, calling them “baseless fabrications designed to distract from the real issues facing Sudan.” Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have raised alarms about how regional power dynamics are worsening the humanitarian crisis, with over 2.5 million people now displaced by the conflict.
“This incident illustrates how Sudan’s civil war is increasingly becoming a playground for regional interests,” said Dr. Amina Koroum, conflict resolution specialist at the African Centre for Peace Studies. “Civilian aviation infrastructure and personnel are being weaponized and targeted as part of this broader struggle.”
