Two Kenyan soldiers were killed on Monday morning when a Kenya Defence Forces chopper crashed in a local location called Masinga, Kitui County, local media reports.

The Ministry of Defence issued a statement over the incident saying the chopper was for training purposes.

“This was a training flight. Onboard were two pilots who have been evacuated from the crash site,” read the statement from the ministry.

The US-made light attack helicopter gunship MD 530F crashed at about 10 am. The cause of the crash was not immediately established.

Reports say the chopper is among six US-made light attack helicopter gunships that the Kenya Army Aviation acquired in January this year.

They were part of an initial order of 12 light attack and reconnaissance helicopters meant to enhance the firepower of the Kenya Defence Forces in the wake of sustained attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.