State assures US on Kenyan aviation security

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau, who is on a visit to the United States, has briefed American officials on the steps Kenya is taking to achieve Category 1 status for its airports to allow for direct flights between the two countries.

Early in the week, on July 22, Mr Kamau held a series of meetings with American officials among them Christine L. Sharp, Manager Europe/Africa/Middle East Staff of the US Federal Aviation Administration.

During the meeting the CS detailed to Mrs Sharp the measures that the Government had taken to strengthen its aviation safety regulator, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

In addition, the CS thanked the FAA for the technical support given to KCAA. Mrs Sharp acknowledged the steps Kenya has made towards attainment of Cat 1 and noted that it was now a question of when and not if, Kenya will achieve Cat 1.

The CS also met Melvin Carraway, Deputy Administrator of the US Transportation Security Administration.

During the meeting, the CS thanked the TSA for the support given after the fire in August last year that gutted a building at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in the form of a immigration screening equipment and tents.

He also thanked the TSA for donating 20 explosive trace detection equipment. The CS stressed that Kenya had taken security of its citizens and passengers seriously and was in the process of constructing a screening facility at the entrance to JKIA.

He also explained the various measures that have been taken to improve security at all Kenyan airports. Mr Carraway on his part noted that the Kenya Airports Authority had put in place many measures since the last TSA assessment of security at JKIA.

The recent press report on security of the Kenyan airspace was discussed and it became clear that the report was based on outdated information relating to the attempted downing of an Israeli aircraft in Mombasa in 2002.

It was confirmed that the report had not taken into account the recent improvements in Kenya’s airspace security management.

Later, the CS met with his counterpart Anthony R. Foxx, US Transportation Secretary. During the meeting the two discussed the close ties that have prevailed between the two States.