The government has established an Aircraft Accident Investigation Team to review preliminary reports of aircraft accidents involving Kenyan-registered or operated aircraft in South Sudan and Somalia over the past five years.
In a gazette notice dated May 17, 2025, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir announced the formation of the team under powers conferred by Section 53(4) of the Civil Aviation Act (Cap. 394).
The team will be chaired by Capt. Peter Maranga, with Fredrick Kabunge serving as co-chairperson and Eng. Fredrick Aggrey Opot as vice-chairperson.
Other members include Capt. Nduati Herman Njama, Rtd. Lt. Col. Mike Mulwa, Ephantus Kamau, Capt. Valentine Wendoh, and James Mwangi.
The team’s joint secretaries are Brenda Mwango, Mathias Ombasa, and Albert Mwangeka.
According to the notice, the team is mandated 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 fulfilling its mandate, the team may also investigate any other matter relating to or consequential to the accidents and make appropriate recommendations for the prevention of the recurrence of such accidents.
It may also examine, evaluate, analyse or test any information, data, material or substance to validate any conclusions or assumptions made in the submitted reports and conduct interviews and engagements with relevant industry players to establish facts and information in furtherance of the mandate of the Team.
According to the notice, the team is allowed to co-opt additional persons as needed to support its work.
The term of office for the team is three months from the date of publication of the notice. However, the Cabinet Secretary may extend the term if necessary.
The team is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the Cabinet Secretary, including findings and recommendations “to address any safety issues that may be identified out of the findings for action by the aviation industry in Kenya.”
