DANGER AS KENYA SPACE AUTHORITY ALERTS OF A POTENTIAL DEBRIS FALL IN THE COUNTRY

The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has alarmed the public of a possible entry of space debris in Eastern Africa , Kenya included, this weekend.

KSA revealed in a statement on Friday, April 18, stating that the debris is originating from a space object known as Norad ID 61909/2024-205R, a numerous fragment from a space rocket .
"The Kenya Space Agency wishes to notify members of the general public of a potential re-entry of a space object, Norad ID 61909/ 2024-205R which is a significant debris from a rocket body of unknown mass. The object is of particular interest to Kenya as the projected flight trajectory is over the eastern African region, including Kenya, in a North-South path from the North Eastern region to the South East of Kenya towards Tanzania and further southward," the notice highlighted.

The statement addressed that this fall is estimated to occur within a duration of Saturday, April 19, 2025, at approximately 11:15 p.m. (EAT), to 3:01 p.m. on Sunday, April 20.

"The re-entry is predicted to occur on Saturday, 19 April 2025, at around 11:15 pm +/- 15 hrs 46 mins. This means the re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere could occur within the window from Saturday, 19 April 2025, 7:29 am to Sunday, 20 April 2025, 3:01 pm."

As the Agency works with partners to obtain a more precise prediction of the flight path and timeline, it cautioned the members of the public to act with care since, this body is predicted to be having a huge mass to cause harm to people and property.

"KSA, out of an abundance of caution, wishes to advise members of the public to be vigilant and to be on the lookout for potential debris dropping from or flying through the sky within the specified period," warned the KSA.

It also urged the members of public to report to the nearest authority upon encountering a possible sign of debris.

This alert underscores KSA’s growing role in space situational awareness and public safety, as Kenya continues to develop its space capabilities and infrastructure.

KSA also revealed the fall of a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500 kg, in Mukuku Village, Mukuku Sublocation, Nduluku Location, Waia Division, Mbooni East Sub-County, Makueni County, on Monday, December 30, 2024, at around 1500hrs.

They explained that this was a separation ring from a rocket, revealing that such objects usually fall over unoccupied regions, such as oceans.

Witnesses revealed that this body fell with a huge bang while the Sub-County Police Commander, James Rotich, added that the object was red-hot when it landed in a nearby forest. "We had to cordon off the area until it cooled off," he stated.