Boni Khalwale Calls For Probe Into Airworthiness Of All State-Owned Aircraft

• The country has witnessed 12 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter in a span of one year, with five airwings from the National Police Service
• Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale called on a probe of all state-owned helicopters to determine their safety
• His remarks come after Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla died on a chopper crash on Thursday, April 18, at the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet

Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale has called on through scrutiny of all state-owned aircrafts following recent crash in the country.

How safe are KDF choppers?

According to Khalwale the consistency of the crash belonging to Kenya Air Force and the National Police Air wing calls for probe into their worthiness.

According to him, the 17 helicopter crashes from the forces and the police service since 2012, is extremely shocking.

"We now demand a thorough review of the air worthiness of the Kenya State owned aircraft. Since 2012, a shocking 12 aircraft belonging to Kenya Air Force and another five to the National Police Air Wing have crashed!" Khalwale said.

The senator further raised concern on the procurement of the state-owned aircrafts.

Khalwale said a scrutiny was needed to access the process including maintenance and operationalisation of the helicopters to determine their worthiness.

" Furthermore, procurement of these aircraft, their maintenance, and operation must be put under scrutiny," Khalwale stressed.

Khalwale's demands came few hours after Chief of Defence Force (CDF), Francis Ogolla's chopper crashed at the Kaben-Cheptulel border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet on Thursday, April 18.

Nine officers on board perished from the accident with only one surviving from the tragic crush on Wednesday afternnon.

Probe Francis Ogolla, KDF chopper crash

Ex-Defence Cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa, while condoling with the nation urged Kenyans to remain calm as investigations into the cause of the crash was established.

"I wish to appeal to appeal to the country to avoid any form of speculation and allow the investigative arm of the Kenya Airforce air wing to conduct thorough investigations and compile their report," Wamalwa said.

Helicopter crash incidents in Kenya

• In September, 2023, a helicopter belonging to Kenya Defence crashed in Lamu Killing the crew on board. The millitary crew were on a surveillance operation of Amani Boni in Lamu county.
• In July 13 and 20, Kenya Defence choppers crashed in Machakos and Chelimongot in Baringo respectively crashed with soldiers on board.
• The Chelimongot helicopter crashed after hitting a tree while taking off had accompanied Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale for an inspection of schools vandalised by bandits in the area.
• On Monday, November, 20, 2023, a military chopper crashed in Wajir county, the helicopter was assigned to ferry national examinations in Wajir and Tana River counties.

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