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Kibaki's Gusii Tour

Details

Published on Monday, 23 March 2009 19:47

Just a day after President Kibaki’s chopper scare, we reveal the shame of ageing helicopters that continue to put the lives of those who use them in danger.  This was evident after the security scare yesterday when the Kenya Air Force Puma helicopter ferrying President Kibaki and his aides to a public rally in Kisii North District was forced to land after developing mechanical problems.

The chopper started shaking and over-heating as it emitted smoke upon take off at Marani in Kitutu-Chache constituency. The plane had been in the air for less than a minute before the pilot decided to bring it back to the ground. The President, who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and his aides were evacuated and transferred to another Air Force helicopter.

The President and his entourage usually use two Puma helicopters, tail number 415 and 416 for short travels within the country. The second one is for the Presidential security team.

Education Minister Sam Ongeri and Assistant Ministers Orwa Ojode and Omingo Magara receive President Kibaki at Nyamarambe, Gucha South District.

The President’s helicopter, spec number SA 330, is part of a squadron of 12 Pumas the Government bought from France in the mid-1970s.

Half of them have since crashed and have never been replaced, according to a military source who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. The remaining few choppers from this squadron are normally serviced in South Africa.

Service dates

According to our military source, each component in the President’s chopper has its own scheduled and unscheduled service date.  And it was not clear by yesterday when the President’s chopper was due for the next service though, as our source had not looked at its log.

The chopper has a sitting capacity of only eight passengers. The Head of State usually travels in the chopper in the company of his close allies and top security men — his Press secretary, State House Comptroller and the Escort commander. The chopper is usually manned by a category "A" military officer of the rank of a Major and above. They must have done more than 1,000 flying hours before being allowed to pilot such a VIP.

After yesterday’s incident, Presidential guards quickly surrounded the helicopter as large crowds gathered at the scene at Marani Primary School. Kibaki had just addressed a roadside meeting at Marani market. But a swift statement from the Department of Defence (DoD) signed on behalf of the Chief of General Staff (CGS) General Jeremiah Kianga said one of the engines of the military Puma helicopter which was ferrying the President from Marani to Kibabe in Kisii North District at around 1pm, experienced a malfunction on take off. Gen Kianga said on noticing this, the pilot chose to land immediately as is the drill in such situations.

"Throughout this phase of the flight, His Excellency the President was not exposed to any danger," said Kianga in the statement, adding that on landing, the President was immediately transferred to the support helicopter, which conveyed him safely and on time to Kibabe.

The SA 330 Puma was originally developed by Sud Aviation to meet a requirement of the French Army for a medium-sized all-weather helicopter. It also had to be capable of operating by day and night, as well as in a wide variety of climates. The President continued with his tour and addressed rallies at Ekerenyo, Kemera and Gusii stadium.  Kisii Central DC Benjamin Njoroge downplayed the mishap, saying it was just a minor hitch. Besides the two Air Force choppers, the team also used a police helicopter that carried Kisii MPs and Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode.

With the President were Cabinet ministers Chris Obure, George Saitoti and Sam Ongeri. During his brief stop over at Marani, the President said the Coalition Government had no option but to deliver on its pre-election pledges."There is no need for politicians to keep on competing with one another," Kibaki said.Speaking at Marani, where he announced the creation of Marani District, the President said: "We finished elections. Elections will come and pass, let’s think about development."

No tea factory

The President thwarted demands by locals to have a tea factory in the area, saying he could not make empty promises on what he was not well briefed about.He said his Government was committed to improving infrastructure to facilitate farming. Kibaki, who was also accompanied by 11 Gusii MPs, asked members of the Gusii community to support their MPs to realise development and shun divisive politics.  He urged the Maasai and Abagusii communities to live in harmony, and promised to consider a request by Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchela to create a new district out of Trans Mara.Earlier, Kibaki commissioned the construction of an airstrip in the area amid protests from leaders from the Maasai community.

Konchela, who is the area MP, had complained that the proposed site of the airstrip would interfere with the source of Elangata Engima and Engare Ongituak rivers. He said: "Before such a facility is put up leaders from both districts must be consulted extensively, including experts from Nema." However, President Kibaki dismissed Konchela’s sentiments, terming him a stumbling block to the spirit of development. He urged those opposing the project to come out clearly before the construction of the airstrip begins.