Aden Duale Bans Politicians From Using KDF Choppers: "New Policy"

• Kenyan politicians will not use the Kenya Defence Airport (KDF) craft for non-military purposes anymore
• Defence CS Aden Duale said a policy was in place to safeguard the shape of the military assets, which he suggested had been misused to dilapidation
• Kenya's chief of defence Francis Ogolla died in a crash in April, with a preliminary probe pointing to a faulty chopper that he picked after all the others designated for him were in use

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi: Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has revealed that his docket has sanctioned a policy barring politicians and officials outside the martial sphere from using military assets.

What is the new KDF policy?

Going forward, for instance, the military aircraft will only be confined to security operations undertaken by the Kenyan defence forces personnel.

Duale revealed on Citizen TV where he had appeared for an interview.

"We have now a policy in KDF, we are not going to carry politicians. Helicopters are meant for specific functions within KDF, they are part and parcel of the assets we have in safeguarding the country," he said.

Video; courtesy

He included himself among those prohibited from using the aircraft, unless he is on official duties.

"When my colleague CS Interior and I are on operation we will use the choppers," added Duale.

This came in the wake of the ongoing probe into the tragic chopper crash in which Kenya's CDF Francis Ogolla and nine other military officials died.

Why Francis Ogolla flew Bell Huey chopper

The deceased military personnel boarded a Bell Huey II made in the United States, raising questions over the treatment accorded to the CDF

While on duty, a CDF would fly the presidential Aerospatiale SA 330H Puma Helicopter, a four-bladed, twin-engined medium aircraft designated for him.

However, on the fateful day, Ogolla and his team boarded the aforementioned Bell Huey, with quarters claiming the presidential chopper befitting his status had been used by other underserving state officials and politicians.

Despite the queries on the state of the ill-fated chopper, Duale said it was a capable machine that could even fly at night.

He shared that he had used the chopper on numerous occasions; CS Kithure Kindiki and Police IG Japhet Koome had also used it.

Meanwhile, the CS assured that the investigation report shedding light on Ogolla's death will be made public.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.