Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has appointed a seven-member aircraft investigation team to assess the recent reports of accidents involving Kenya-registered or operated aircraft.
In a Gazette Notice, Captain Peter Maranga will be the chairman of the investigation team and will be deputised by Engineer Fredrick Aggrey.
The members include Captain Herman Nduati, Retired Lieutenant Mike Mulwa, Ephantus Kamau, Captain Valentine Wendoh and Captain Martyn Lunani.
Brenda Mwango was appointed as the joint secretary.
Murkomen tasked the team to conduct four key functions. First, review all the preliminary accident reports for accidents involving Kenya-registered or operated aircraft presented by the Republic of South Sudan and the Federal Republic of Somalia for the last five (5) years.
Investigate any other matter relating to or consequential to the accidents and make appropriate recommendations for the prevention of recurrence and to improve aviation safety in Kenya.
Survey of all the air misses in Kenya for the last three years and the final task involves recommending any action to avoid recurrence.
According to Murkomen, the team was given three months to submit a comprehensive report to the CS.
Following the recent cases of aircraft accidents, observers have called for the government to set up a commission to investigate the country's military hardware.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga called for a Commission of Inquiry following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla and nine other KDF officers.
"Given the tragedy that engulfs our country now, a country of rumours and ethnic divisions, it is a good idea to immediately set up a Commission of Inquiry that has robust public participation. An Inquiry that is seen as a cover-up is unacceptable," he stated.
