Reprieve for MP Pkosing as court suspends grounding of his chopper

The High Court has suspended a decision by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority that grounded MP David Pkosing's chopper over allegations of banditry.

Justice John Chigiti issued the order following an application by Karimulink Aviation Limited. Pkosing is the Director of the said company.

The MP through Lawyer Danstan Omari told the court that his firms have at no time operated illegally or without the required licenses and procedures in place.

He said he was being persecuted because he belonged to the opposition party.

"I verily believe that the actions to suspend the Aircraft is a political witchhunt to curtail my political ambition."

The court heard that Pkosing has never been summoned by any investigative agency to help in any form of probe into alleged commissions of a crime.

Pkosing says he is at a loss following the suspension of his air operator certificate by KCAA.

"The only allegation is that they have received information from unspecified sources to the effect he could be in violation of the Civil Aviation Act," Pkosing's lawyer told the court.

The MP said KCAA maliciously and in a bid to frustrate his efforts to remain in his genuine business, suspended the said Air Operator Certificate and Operations specifications without prior notice.

He argued that he had no prior notice as to the decision of the KCAA to suspend their Air Operator Certificate.

"We were not given any opportunities to defend ourselves in order to avert the suspension, "said the MP.

KCAA, Kenya Airports Authority, the National Police Service, the Ministry of Defence, and the Attorney General have been listed as respondents in the case.

The judge directed the firm to serve the respondents in the case with the court papers.

The respondents are to file their papers within 14 days. The case will be mentioned on October 17, for further directions on judgement.