'Less qualified’ pilots used to fly VIPs

By ALLY JAMAH

The Commission of Inquiry probing the copter crash heard that “less qualified” police pilots were used for VIP transport.

Executive Director of the Kenya Association of Air Operators, Colonel Karumba Waithaka, said an audit report by a committee of experts on the Police Airwing showed pilots without the required qualifications undertook VIP flights.

Col Waithaka was the chairperson of the experts that handed over the report to the late minister in November last year. The report has not been made public.

“We found out pilots holding private licence were assigned to fly VIPs, which is rather unusual in aviation practice. That licence is the lowest in the field,” he said.

He explained that flying has categories of licences beginning with the Private Pilot’s Licence, followed by the Commercial Pilot’s Licence, which is the second highest. The highest is the Airline Pilot Transport Licence.

The expert said less qualified pilots were also used in flying on remote and dangerous missions.

In response to questions from lawyer Fredrick Ngatia, for the late Prof George Saitoti’s family, the expert said the Airwing should develop a clear policy on transporting VIPs by assigning the most qualified pilots.

Grounded aircraft

Waithaka added safety systems at the Airwing as well as maintenance procedures needed to be improved urgently.

The Airwing has many grounded aircraft, thanks to long procurement procedures within the Government to get spares. The report recommended the police be exempted from the official procurement regulations to enable them get spares directly from manufacturers.

“All their aircraft were uninsured and that was a major concern to us. We recommended that they be insured immediately,” he said.

“If the report is made public and implemented fully, it would make the Kenya Police Airwing a viable and safe entity,” he said.

The report finalised in April last year has since remained under wraps. Airwing Commandant Col Rodgers Mbithi lamented he has never received the report.

Waithaka also called on the Government to release all aircraft accident reports rather than sitting on them or releasing them after editing.

“The reports would help air operators trace how mistakes happened and prevent recurrence of the same. The move would boost aviation safety. It is not a matter of passing blame,” he said.