The Government has banned skydiving expeditions in Kwale following the death of a Zambian paratrooper last month.
A diplomatic row has been simmering between Kenya and Zambia, after 14 Zambian paratroopers entered the country on tourist visas, and ended up skydiving over Diani.
One of them, David Pumulo, a warrant officer, died when he fell after his parachute got entangled with his colleague’s.
Entwined parachutes
According to security agencies, the parachutes got entwined at 12,000 feet above sea level.
“Their parachutes got entangled shortly after they jumped from the aeroplane. They tried hard to separate themselves,” said a source in the agencies.
“They succeeded, but Pumulo’s parachute failed to open. He crashed to the ground at high speed.”
Pumulo was pronounced dead on arrival at Diani hospital. His skull was crashed, and he was bleeding profusely.
Kenyan officials now say the Zambians had entered the country illegally, and were skydiving without the necessary licences.
Coast Regional Security Committee, which announced the ban yesterday, said action would be taken on anyone conducting skydiving activities.
Formal letter
A foreigner who has invested in skydiving activities is particularly targeted. The committee said the unnamed foreigner will be deported if he carries on with the business.
It is the said foreigner who helped the Zambians get the skydiving equipment they needed. When questioned, he said the Zambians had been planning the expedition since December last year.
He said he was not aware that they were soldiers.
Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata confirmed that all skydiving expeditions had been suspended indefinitely, as the State seeks ways to regulate them. Mr Elungata said the Zambians were handed to the department of defence and deported. He noted that questions have been raised within Government on why the Zambians hid their identity, and intentions, from the Kenyan military and Ministry of Foreign affairs.
“They were supposed to write a formal letter to the Kenyan Government detailing how many they were, their travel arrangements, and what they were planning to do in the county,” the source said.
Investigations have been launched into the matter.
