Kericho Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei has urged Parliament to investigate helicopter operations across Kenya following a series of crashes involving prominent individuals.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, October 21, Kemei expressed concern over the safety of helicopters operated by government agencies, particularly the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), following an accident in Kericho on October 12.
In a request directed to the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, the legislator sought clarification on the circumstances surrounding the crash and whether safety failures contributed to the incident.
Kemei wants the committee to determine whether mechanical faults, pilot error or other factors caused the accident, amid reports that the helicopter encountered difficulties before crashing.
"Of particular concern are reports that the helicopter experienced difficulties before the crash, underscoring the need to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine whether any underlying safety deficiency contributed to it. This incident raises serious concerns about the safety of helicopter operations in the country, particularly in light of several crashes reported in the recent past," Kemei stated.
The MP is also demanding a comprehensive account of the aircraft's airworthiness and maintenance records immediately before the accident. This includes details of previous inspections, unresolved mechanical defects and the validity of its operational approvals.
She further wants the committee to examine the pilots' qualifications and establish whether they adhered to the required aviation safety regulations.
"It is against this background that I request the chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the circumstances leading to the Kericho crash, including the sequence of takeoff attempts, the preliminary findings on its cause, and evidence collected and whether mechanical failure, pilot error and other factors contributed to the accident," she added.
The committee is expected to examine the pilots' competence, the helicopter's airworthiness and whether proper maintenance standards were observed.
Kemei's demands follow an incident in which Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno and four other occupants escaped without injuries after a KFS helicopter crashed during takeoff at the Kericho Golf Club.
Beyond the Kericho incident, the legislator wants Parliament to scrutinise other helicopter crashes recorded in Kenya over the past several years.
She is seeking a detailed account of the established and suspected causes of the accidents, findings from investigations conducted by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and whether investigators have identified recurring safety shortcomings across the incidents.
The MP is also pressing the government to explain the measures it is taking to hold individuals accountable for possible negligence or regulatory failures.
Additionally, she wants to know what steps authorities are implementing to strengthen aviation oversight and ensure strict compliance with established flight safety standards.
Kenya has witnessed several fatal aircraft accidents this year, raising concerns about aviation safety and the protection of passengers.
Among the prominent victims was former Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno, who died in a helicopter crash in February. Another fatal incident occurred on August 19, when Ecuador's intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi, his wife and five other people were reported killed in an aircraft crash.
Kemei's proposed inquiry seeks to establish whether the accidents point to broader safety and regulatory challenges that require urgent intervention by the government and aviation authorities.
