Members of Kenya’s National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation have expressed serious concerns over the lengthy delays in concluding investigations into aircraft accidents. During a parliamentary session held on Monday, lawmakers questioned why critical reports on plane crashes take years to be finalized and made public, despite the urgency surrounding such incidents.
The committee, chaired by Samuel Chepkong’a (Ainabkoi), focused on the recent helicopter crash that tragically claimed the life of former Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla. Chepkong’a pressed the Ministry of Roads and Transport to explain the persistent delays in investigation reports, emphasizing the importance of timely conclusions to improve aviation safety and provide closure to affected families.
“We have had fatal aircraft accidents in the past, including the one that killed General Ogolla. Why do reports take so long to be made public?” Chepkong’a questioned during the session.
Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir, who appeared before the committee alongside Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika, officials from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and the Aircraft Accident Investigations Department, provided clarifications on the issue.
Chirchir explained that the Ministry’s mandate covers only civilian aircraft. The investigation into military and police aircraft incidents, such as the helicopter crash involving General Ogolla, falls under the jurisdiction of relevant security agencies and not the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
“Our mandate does not cover military or police aircraft. The investigation into General Ogolla’s helicopter crash is being handled by relevant security authorities,” Chirchir said.
The Ministry presented the proposed Civil Aviation (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) Regulations, 2024, aimed at aligning Kenya’s aviation investigation processes with international standards. These regulations seek to streamline investigations and set clear timelines for reporting outcomes.
Chirchir further noted that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommends up to a 12-month timeline to conclude investigations, given their complexity and the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including foreign entities. This timeline is intended to ensure thoroughness and accuracy, despite public expectations for quicker resolutions.
The committee’s scrutiny underscores the critical need for transparency and efficiency in aviation accident investigations to uphold public trust and enhance safety in Kenya’s skies.
