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Members of Parliament have criticized Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir over delays in concluding investigations into aircraft accidents in Kenya.
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During a session with officials from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the National Assembly’s Committee on Delegated Legislation, led by Chairperson Samuel Chepkong’a (Ainabkoi), expressed concern about the slow pace of aviation accident inquiries, especially in fatal cases.
Chepkong’a cited the recent helicopter crash that killed former Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, questioning why investigation reports are not released promptly.
“We’ve seen fatal aircraft crashes, including General Ogolla’s. Why do the findings take so long to come out?” Chepkong’a asked during the Monday parliamentary session.
Chirchir was appearing before the committee to discuss the proposed Civil Aviation (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) Regulations, 2024. He was accompanied by Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika, officials from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and the Aircraft Accident Investigations Department.
The proposed regulations are intended to align Kenya’s processes with international standards, speed up investigations, and introduce specific timelines for reporting findings.
In response, Chirchir explained that his Ministry is only responsible for civilian aircraft, and incidents involving military or police aircraft—such as General Ogolla’s crash—fall under the jurisdiction of security agencies.
“Our scope does not cover military or police aircraft. The relevant authorities are handling that particular investigation,” he said.
He also noted that, according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), aircraft accident investigations typically require up to 12 months due to their technical complexity and the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including overseas manufacturers and international agencies.
“Often, data recorders must be analysed abroad by aircraft manufacturers. Backlogs and the participation of foreign agencies can lead to delays,” he explained.
Committee Vice Chairperson Robert Gichimu (Gichugu) and Kiambu Town MP Machua Waithaka echoed these concerns, stressing that delayed reports deny victims’ families closure and hinder future safety improvements.
Kenya has experienced several deadly aircraft accidents involving high-profile figures:
- In January 2003, a crash in Busia claimed the lives of Labour Minister Ahmed Khalif and two pilots.
- In April 2006, poor weather caused a Kenya Defence Forces aircraft to crash in Marsabit, killing 14 people, including five MPs.
- On June 10, 2008, a plane crash after take-off from Wilson Airport killed Roads Minister Kipkalya Kones, Sotik MP Lorna Laboso, and two others.
- In June 2012, a helicopter crash in Ngong Hills killed Interior Minister George Saitoti, Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, and four others.
- On June 5, 2018, a Fly-SAX flight from Kitale to Nairobi crashed in the Aberdare Range, killing all ten passengers.
