Ageing fleet, public failings behind deadly accidents

 

When a Military Chopper crashed in Kajiado County. [File, Standard]

Soon after the announcement of the helicopter crash that killed Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno and five others, National Treasury CS John Mbadi’s personal assistant, Orsbone Yogo, shared a chilling account on Facebook of a frightening experience he once had while travelling with his boss in the same helicopter.

His account revived familiar theories that often trail public tragedies, including speculation and conspiracy.

In the 1990s, I attended the funeral of a victim of police killings in Uthiru, Kiambu County.

David Muthuo had responded to a neighbour’s scream after robbers struck. Frustrated by repeated attacks and little police response, villagers had resolved to defend themselves.

That night, Muthuo ran toward the scene in the darkness. He was allegedly mistaken for a thief and shot dead by police officers on operation there.

At the funeral, speaker after speaker attributed his death to God. When my turn came, I differed.

“Are you saying God cocked the gun and shot Muthuo? No. God is innocent. The one who killed this young man was the police officer. Why would God take the life of an innocent young man who cared about his neighbour’s safety?” Murmurs rose from some who felt I had no place invoking God that way. I stepped down from the podium and let the majority have their say.

Religious communities often respond to tragedy, especially the death of the innocent, with spiritual explanations. Yet other disciplines offer different lenses: science and philosophy hold that every effect has a cause. In many African settings, one may even hear — half in jest, half in belief — that every death is the handiwork of an unseen enemy within.

To prevent such tragedies, attention must turn to the conditions that make them possible. Can the public spotlight trace the factors behind the helicopter crash that claimed MP Ng’eno’s life?

One place to begin is the insider account that surfaced soon after the accident. Yogo hurried to distance his boss from the aircraft, revealing that he had once flown in the same helicopter with the CS and experienced a frightening flight. According to him, the helicopter performed poorly and nearly crashed.

Such claims raise unsettling questions. Who oversees these helicopters, and why was the aircraft not grounded despite prior concerns? A leader of a Cabinet Secretary’s stature might have triggered corrective action if a serious safety risk had been detected.

Those in authority must recognise that their decisions, or failure to act, can mean the difference between life and death. A machine not withdrawn despite warning signs points to institutional failure, not fate. While Yogo’s account may not be conclusive, it highlights the many tragedies caused by public-sector incompetence. Many die on roads, in hospitals, or elsewhere because of negligent officers.

After the National Alliance Rainbow Coalition took power, a former Kamiti Maximum Security Prison inmate approached me. He led a robbery gang and managed its armoury in Mathare North. Wanting out, he sought my help to surrender safely. I reached out to former Trade Minister Mukhisa Kituyi, who declined. Justice Minister Kiraitu Murungi never heard the case, and at the President’s Office, I failed to see Assistant Minister Stephen Tarus. Eventually, the man disappeared. If those guns were later used to kill, where does responsibility lie? Neglect and inaction can be as deadly as intent, a reminder that omission, incompetence or indifference may cost lives.

The disclosure by Mbadi’s personal assistant may appear peripheral, yet it still invites scrutiny. Such revelations can divert attention from other plausible lines of inquiry, including those pointing to systemic lapses. Once in the public domain, the account becomes part of the responsibility chain.

Former Transport Minister John Michuki was an effective, no-nonsense public servant whose efficiency saved many lives. Many Kenyans remember his firm hand and can imagine the action he might have taken if still in charge of the transport docket. Aircraft with repeated safety concerns would likely have been grounded, and those responsible held to account. In such a scenario, the helicopter crash that claimed MP Ngeno and five others might have been prevented. Incompetence is, by its nature, a public danger. It is not merely an administrative flaw; it can pose a physical risk to citizens. Where safety oversight is weak, tragedy becomes more probable. It is reasonable to question whether lapses within transport and aviation oversight played a role in the fatal crash.

Concerns about competence extend beyond individuals to systems and equipment. Many helicopters in our airspace are decades old, some 30–40 years in service. Age alone does not condemn an aircraft, but without proper maintenance, regulation, and inspections, ageing fleets remain highly vulnerable.

Ultimately, accountability in public safety cannot be selective. It demands vigilance, technical integrity and the courage to withdraw unsafe equipment before lives are lost. If we had a people-centred government, I believe Ng’eno and his team would still be with us. As we allow the principled Ng’eno to rest, we as a nation have homework to do.

The writer is a political pundit