• Committee chairman said KCAA had confirmed they would appear on Friday, only to serve the team with a regret letter.
• Silverstone has had three mishaps in 18 days.
Image: REUTERS
MPs are seeking to unmask 'hidden forces' they say are protecting Silverstone Air Services from scrutiny three recent mishaps involving its planes.
The National Assembly Transport committee alluded to a 'powerful hand' they alleged prevented the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority from heeding summonses.
The agency officials did not appear citing — through a letter — short notice by Parliament and suggesting it be granted another chance to appear next week.
But members of committee chaired by David Pkosing claimed there were attempts to gag them from probing accidents, adding that they were investigating general safety.
The chairman said the KCAA boss had confirmed by Friday morning they would appear and that his team was on the way, only for the MPs to be served the regret letter.
This committee will not be intimidated or compromised. KCAA was ready to appear before us. I met director general Gilbert Kibe who said he would come.Transport committee chair David Pkosing
On October 28, a Silverstone aircraft made an emergency landing at Eldoret International Airport, after taking off. A tyre fell off.
A day before, a Silverstone aircraft struck and damaged an aircraft at Wilson Airport, Nairobi.
A Silverstone aircraft skidded off the runway and crash-landed shortly after taking off from Wilson Airport on October 11. That's three mishaps in 18 days.
“This committee will not be intimidated or compromised. KCAA was ready to appear before us. I met director general Gilbert Kibe who said he would come,” the Pokot South MP said.
Transport Principal Secretary Esther Koimett also did not also turn up despite the summons.
Only officials from Kenya Airports Authority led by acting managing director Alex Gitari were present. They were accompanied by Wilson Airport manager Joseph Okumu.
MPs questioned why KCAA copied its letter of regret to Leader of Majority Aden Duale among other persons not directly linked to the probe, and not the committee chairman.
The letter was accepted by Speaker Justin Muturi who advised that they be given more time to prepare a response.
“Given the short notice, the request is fair and I grant it. Let the committee plan another date,” Muturi said.
But the House committee members criticised the move, asking why KCAA referred to Silverstone Airline yet the probe was about general air safety.
In the letter, the agency said two recent accidents in three weeks are under investigations by competing agencies.
“We have been carrying out safety audits of various airlines and carriers. This is work in progress and is at an advanced stage,” the letter reads.
MPs Rindikiri Mugambi (Buuri), Samuel Arama (Nakuru West), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Vincent Kemosi (Mugirango West), Ayub Savula (Lugari), Shadrack Mosee (Kitutu Masaba) and David Kiaraho (Ol Kalou) condemned the regulator.
They asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe Silverstone, saying there are efforts to avert scrutiny.
We will demand that their (Silverstone's) licence be revoked. We invite the DCI to look into this matter.eMP Vincent Kemosi
“It is shocking that KCAA, which is central to regulations, has chosen to be absent from this meeting. This tells Kenyans that air transport is not given due weight in the country,” Mugambi said.
Arama said, “In all fairness, this is not right. Someone is controlling this committee from elsewhere. Is it even procedural that the KCAA letter is copied to Majority leader Aden Duale?"
Rigathi said it was curious that KCAA chose to talk of Silverstone yet the committee did not specify the issues that informed the meeting.
“The guilty are always afraid. This situation speaks volumes of KCAA capacity and negligence. That is why they fear meeting the people’s representatives. Time is just an excuse.”
“Is this committee being gagged. Are they intimidating us by writing to the Leader of Majority?” the Mathira MP asked.
Kemosi added, “We will demand that their (Silverstone's) licence be revoked. We invite the DCI to look into this matter.”
Mosee cited the injuries sustained by Nyamira MP Jerusha Momanyi after a Silverstone plane skid at Wilson Airport last month. He said he didn't expect the regulator to say notice time was short.
“The world over, air safety is a matter taken seriously. I can see a scheme whereby these fellows are playing funny games,” Kiaraho said.
There are reports 25 air accidents have occurred since January last year, and none of the operators has been punished.
KAA, which was to respond to the dilapidated state of Wilson, said they have set aside Sh350 million to repair the airport’s pavements and runways.
“There is a plan to do a more comprehensive job on the pavements and runways,” KAA acting MD Alex Gitari said of potholes that dot the country’s aerodromes.
Edited by R.Wamochie