Little-Known Aircraft Laws That Can Hand You 14 Yrs in Jail

A plane at a runaway
A plane at a runaway
(COURTESY)

A recent attack on ODM leader Raila Odinga attracted nationwide condemnation, with President Uhuru Kenyatta, raising concerns that such incidents could plunge the country into chaos. 

Suspects arrested were charged with attempted murder, malicious damage to property, disturbance of peace and incitement to violence. 

In this case, the lead prosecutor argued that they endangered the lives and safety of the passengers and that of the aircraft. 

According to the Protection of Aircraft Act, Chapter 68, the accused can spend over 14 years behind bars or life imprisonment. 

ODM leader Raila Odinga arrived in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Friday, April 1, 2022 (left). A picture of the chopper that was stoned in Uasin Gishu County (right).
ODM leader Raila Odinga arrived in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Friday, April 1, 2022 (left). A picture of the chopper that was stoned in Uasin Gishu County (right).
Courtesy Raila Odinga

Other little-known offences other than the aforementioned ones include:

Wilfully and unlawfully committing an assault that is likely to endanger the safety of the aircraft on flight while you are on board 

Destroying an aircraft in service, and causing damage to an aircraft in service which renders the aircraft incapable of flight or likely to endanger the safety of the aircraft in flight. 

Another offence highlighted is placing or causing to be placed on an aircraft in service, anything which is likely to destroy the aircraft, or to cause damage to the aircraft which will render it incapable of flight, or endanger the safety of the aircraft. 

Endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight by deliberately communicating false information to another person has also been listed as a crime. 

“Destroying, damaging or interfering with the operation of any air navigation facility used in international air navigation where the destruction, damage or interference is likely to endanger the safety of an aircraft in flight, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years,” the Act spells. 

Hijacking has also been listed as a serious crime, described as an act of seizing control of a plane unlawfully, by force or threat thereof, any form of intimidation. 

“The offender shall be guilty of the offence of hijacking and liable to imprisonment for life,” the Act notes and ropes in both the accused and alibis.

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A photo of a charter plane at an airport in the US.
Photo
Bayron Aviation
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