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Experts rejected crashed Mathare chopper, new details reveal
By Standard On Sunday Reporter | Sunday, Sep 11th 2016 at 15:37
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A police chopper lies on its side after it crashed in Mathare area, Nairobi on 8th September, 2016. Sources say some pilots who were flying the helicopter were inexperienced as they had not fully mastered the chopper operations.
Purchase of the police helicopter that crashed in Mathare, Nairobi on Thursday was shrouded in controversy.
Technical teams had opposed buying of the Augusta Westland helicopter, citing its history of accidents, informed officials revealed. Two tenders that were floated to purchase it were cancelled twice before it was finally bought for Sh680 million through single sourcing.
In their opposition, the technical teams cited the Italian-made helicopters’ poor safety record, saying those in Tanzania and Zambia had crashed. They said pilots and technicians would have to be trained were the Augusta to be chosen, besides building new service centres.
But powerful cartels at the Ministry of Interior would hear none of it, with Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery describing it as the best deal.
“Last year we made a pledge and committed to Kenyans that we would continue to modernise the National Police Service (NPS) in terms of air mobility and today we are receiving a brand new helicopter, one of the best helicopters we can have in the market today,” said Mr Nkaissery during the commissioning of the chopper at the Wilson Airport in April 2016.
Insiders at the Interior ministry and the Police Service say politics surrounding the procurement of the helicopter led to the ouster of Deputy Inspector General of Police Grace Kaindi. Journalists who tried to question the figures floated for the fleet and other equipment were threatened and questioned by police. Journalists John Ngirachu and Alphonce Shiundu were earlier this year grilled when they wrote about the ministry’s budget.
Thursday’s crash in Mathare, where four officers aboard the ill-fated helicopter were injured, has raised questions about the qualification and experience of pilots in charge of police aircraft. Sources say some pilots who were flying the helicopter were inexperienced as they had NOT fully mastered the chopper operations.
Standard media
