By Veronicah Stellah
Friday, 31st May 2024
The Department of Defence has announced a new directive to prevent the misuse of military helicopters by politicians. This move aims to ensure that military aircraft are reserved exclusively for security operations. The unregulated use of military helicopters by non-security personnel has strained resources, impacting key security operations and raising maintenance concerns after several recent crashes.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale declared that military helicopters will no longer be available for political use. This directive is part of the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) efforts to protect military assets from non-military utilization. “We have a policy; we are not going to carry politicians anymore. Helicopters are meant for specific functions within KDF, they are part of our assets in safeguarding the country,” Duale stated during an interview on Citizen TV.
Duale emphasized that military resources, including helicopters, will now be strictly reserved for essential duties such as transporting troops and conducting critical operations. “They are part and parcel of the assets we have in safeguarding the country. They carry our troops, go to operations, so not only helicopters but all our assets, going forward,” he added.
However, Duale noted that he and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki would be exempt from this policy when conducting operations in insecure areas like the North Rift. “When I’m going for an operation, I’ll use military assets. Even my colleague CS for Interior, if he’s going to the North Rift or a place that is not secure, he will also use our assets,” Duale explained.
This announcement follows the tragic death of former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla, who was killed in a military helicopter crash in April in Sindar, Elgeyo Marakwet county. Duale reassured the public that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. “As the president has promised the country, we will provide a detailed report. Our teams are in the US with all the parts, and once all the information is collected and recommendations are made, we will inform the country whether it was mechanical or something else,” he said. The Defence Council, the Commander-in-Chief, Kenyan taxpayers, and the family and friends of Ogolla will all receive the report’s findings.
Duale dismissed claims that the military’s equipment is generally worn out, citing his own frequent use of the same helicopter that crashed. “I used the aircraft that killed Ogolla more than 15 times. Prof Kindiki, IG Koome all used it. It is a very unique machine that can fly at night. Our troops use it in very difficult terrain,” he said.
Investigations by the media revealed that the KDF’s aircraft fleet comprises 19 helicopters, with only seven dedicated to security operations, while 12 are repurposed for VIP transport. Among these, KDF operates three Mi-17 helicopters initially intended for police use but now under KDF control at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah recently called for a substantial budget allocation to modernize military equipment, including aircraft. Speaking in the National Assembly on April 23, he stressed the need for updated and reliable equipment, including a modern presidential jet.
Kenya’s military aircraft face challenges due to outdated technology and maintenance issues. The Fokker 70 Extended Range (ER) plane, known as Harambee One when the President is aboard, was manufactured in the 1980s, limiting its operational range and requiring frequent refueling stops. The KDF has acquired various aircraft from different sources, complicating maintenance and inventory processes. Former US Marine and security expert Andrew Franklin, now based in Kenya, told the BBC that maintaining diverse aircraft models is costly and cumbersome due to the need for different spare parts.
Despite these challenges, the KDF continues to operate several aircraft for VIP transport, including three Dash 8 Q-103 aircraft and three Polish-made M28 Mielec aircraft.
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