Mystery object that fell from sky in Ukambani could be broken satellite piece, say police
A metallic subject which fell from the sky at Mukuku Village in Makueni County.
What you need to know:
- Kenya Space Agency officials are on site to help with identifying the object.
- Security officials have cordoned off the site as some residents were reportedly plotting how to cash in on the mysterious object.
As shocked residents of Mukuku Village in Makueni County struggle to understand the origins of a heavy metallic object that fell from the sky on Monday afternoon, police have indicated that they suspect it could be piece that broke off from a satellite.
“It’s suspected to be a damaged satellite frame. The object does not pose any threat,” said Mbooni East Sub-County police commander Julius Rotich when he led a team of government officials to the site Tuesday.
“We have contacted Kenya Space Agency officials to help us to identify the object,” Mr Rotich told the Nation.
The circular metallic object, about 1.2 metres in radius, has no markings. It was red hot when it landed, according to Nduluku Chief James Mateng’e who was among the first people to respond to the incident.
No one was injured when it crash-landed and made a loud sound that locals say could be heard from kilometres away.
On social media, many Kenyans also speculated that the metallic object could be part of a broken rocket or shrapnel.
“It could be part of a space component, such as from a satellite, rocket or aircraft,” said Jack Mukosi, a local resident.
“Whatever it is, it sounded like doomsday had come,” said Boniface Kilonzo, another resident.
Security officials have cordoned off the site as some residents were reportedly plotting how to cash in on the mysterious object.
“We were forced to man the site overnight because some youth wanted to cart it away and sell as scrap metal,” Mr Rotich said.
