Kericho Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei has called for a parliamentary inquiry into all helicopters in the country following a spate of helicopter crashes that have claimed high-profile figures.
Speaking on the floor of the House on Wednesday, October 21, Kemei raised concerns over the safety of state agencies' helicopters, particularly Kenya Forest Service (KFS) helicopters, following a crash on October 12.
In a request to the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure in the National Assembly, the Kericho County MP sought answers on the circumstances that led to the accident and whether any safety lapses contributed to the crash.
Kemei wants the committee to establish whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or other factors may have contributed to the incident, following reports that the helicopter experienced difficulties before the crash.
Kericho Woman Rep Beatrice Kemei during a funeral service at the county on October 19, 2026
Hon Beatrice Kemei
"Of particular concern are reports that the helicopter experienced difficulties before the crash, underscoring the need to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine whether any underlying safety deficiency contributed to it. This incident raises serious concerns about the safety of helicopter operations in the country, particularly in light of several crashes reported in the recent past," Kemei stated.
She is also seeking a detailed report on the aircraft's airworthiness and maintenance history immediately before the crash, including previous inspections, any outstanding mechanical defects, and the validity of its operational approvals.
Additionally, the legislator wants information on the pilots' qualifications and whether they complied with the applicable flight safety requirements.
"It is against this background that I request the chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the circumstances leading to the Kericho crash, including the sequence of takeoff attempts, the preliminary findings on its cause, and evidence collected and whether mechanical failure, pilot error and other factors contributed to the accident," she added.
The committee is also required to investigate pilot competency, the aircraft's airworthiness and its maintenance standards.
The demands came days after Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno and four other occupants escaped unharmed after the KFS helicopter crashed while taking off at the Kericho Golf Club.
Besides the Kericho crash, the MP is also demanding a detailed report on all other helicopter crashes in the past years, with the details to include established and suspected causes, findings from investigations conducted by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and the extent to which common safety deficiencies have been identified across all the incidents.
At the same time, the MP is also seeking to understand the measures being undertaken by the government to ensure accountability for any negligence or regulatory failures, establish stronger oversight operations, and enforce compliance with aviation safety standards.
Kenya has recorded an increasing number of aircraft crashes this year, killing influential figures like former Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno in February, and Ecuador's intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, his wife and five others on August 19.
An image of the remains of a chopper that crashed at Mt Ololokwe in Samburu County and an insert U.S. gay couple Henry Parra, 55, and Adam Hlavaty, 42 who perished in the crash.
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Kenyans.co.ke