Govt Establishes Team to Investigate Plane Accidents in Kenya: Here are the Members

The Kenyan government has established a special team to investigate aircraft accidents involving Kenyan-registered or operated planes over the past five years.

In a notice issued under the Civil Aviation Act (Cap. 394), Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir formally announced the creation of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Team tasked with reviewing preliminary accident reports and recommending measures to enhance aviation safety.

Capt. Peter Maranga has been appointed as the Chairperson of the investigation team.

He will be assisted by Fredrick Kabunge, who will serve as Co-Chairperson, while Fredrick Aggrey Opot (Eng.) will take up the role of Vice-Chairperson.

The team also includes several aviation and security experts drawn from diverse professional backgrounds.

Full List of Team Members

The appointed members of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Team include:

• Capt. Nduati Herman Njama
• Rtd. Lt. Col. Mike Mulwa
• Ephantus Kamau
• Capt. Valentine Wendoh
• James Mwangi

Also Read:KAA Breaks Silence After Plane Veers Off Runway at Mandera Airstrip

Joint Secretaries

The team will be supported administratively by:

• Brenda Mwango
• Mathias Ombasa
• Albert Mwengeka

Mandate of the Investigation Team

The team has been given a clear mandate to review aviation accident reports submitted by neighbouring countries involving Kenyan aircraft.

According to the official notice, “the team is required to review all the preliminary accident reports for accidents involving Kenyan registered or operated aircraft presented by the Republic of South Sudan and the Federal Republic of Somalia, for the last five years.”

In carrying out its duties, the team may also:

• Investigate additional matters related to aircraft accidents
• Examine and analyse data and materials linked to reported incidents
• Conduct interviews with aviation stakeholders and industry players
• Make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents

Also Read: Plane Crashes into the Bush With 36 Passengers On Board

Timeline and Expected Report

The team will serve for a limited period of two months from the date of publication of the notice.

At the end of its assignment, members are expected to compile and submit a comprehensive report to the Cabinet Secretary outlining their findings and safety recommendations.

The notice further states,“the Team shall prepare and submit to the Cabinet Secretary a comprehensive report of its findings and make any recommendations to address any safety issues that may be identified out of the findings for action by the aviation industry in Kenya.”

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Gazette notice about the establishment of Aircraft Accident Investigation Team to review past plane crashes
PHOTO/Kenya Gazette