‘Give us the reports!’ MPs slam Transport Ministry on aviation delays
The lawmakers, sitting in the National Assembly's Committee on Delegated Legislation, took issue with what they described as a persistent lag in releasing crash reports, especially those involving high-profile deaths.
Members of Parliament have demanded answers from the Ministry of Roads and Transport over prolonged delays in concluding aircraft accident investigations, raising concerns about accountability and public safety.
The lawmakers, sitting in the National Assembly's Committee on Delegated Legislation, took issue with what they described as a persistent lag in releasing crash reports, especially those involving high-profile deaths.
Committee Chairperson Samuel Chepkong’a pointed to the recent helicopter crash that claimed the life of former Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla as an example of the opacity surrounding such incidents.
“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 asked during a session in Parliament on Monday.
Appearing before the Committee was Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika, officials from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and the Aircraft Accident Investigations Department.
The meeting focused on the proposed Civil Aviation (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) Regulations, 2024, which aim to align Kenya’s aviation investigation procedures with global standards. The draft seeks to establish structured processes, timeframes, and clarity in the handling of crash investigations.
Chirchir, however, clarified that the Ministry’s role is limited to investigating accidents involving civilian aircraft. “Our mandate does not cover military or police aircraft. The investigation into General Ogolla’s helicopter crash is being handled by relevant security authorities,” he said.
Chirchir explained that international regulations, particularly those from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), recommend a 12-month window for concluding investigations due to their complexity. He noted that factors such as backlogs at overseas aircraft manufacturers, involvement of foreign nationals, and required collaboration with international agencies often slow down the process.
“Often, flight data recorders must be analysed by aircraft manufacturers based overseas. There can be backlogs, and investigations involving foreign nationals require participation from their respective countries and ICAO,” he said.
Other lawmakers, including Committee Vice Chairperson Robert Gichimu and Kiambu Town MP Machua Waithaka, echoed Chepkong’a’s frustration. They said families of crash victims are left without closure, while authorities lose critical lessons needed to prevent future tragedies.
Kenya has witnessed a number of fatal air crashes involving top government officials. These include the 2003 Busia crash that killed Labour Minister Ahmed Khalif, the 2006 Marsabit crash that claimed five MPs, the 2008 Wilson Airport crash that took the lives of Roads Minister Kipkalya Kones and MP Lorna Laboso, and the 2012 Ngong Hills crash that killed Interior Minister George Saitoti and Assistant Minister Joshua Orwa Ojode.
The last major commercial plane crash occurred in 2018 when a Fly-SAX aircraft travelling from Kitale to Nairobi crashed in the Aberdares, killing all ten people on board.
The Committee directed the Ministry to revise the proposed regulations to improve clarity and resubmit them for further review.
