Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is seeking to install an automated system that will monitor the movement of planes following a series of accidents experienced within a span of two days.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation System will assist in establishing and maintaining an accident and incident database to facilitate the effective analysis of information on any potential dangers.
Following the analysis, the Transport Ministry will be able to determine any preventive actions to curb future accidents.
In an Open National Tender Notice published in the local dailies, the Ministry has invited tenders for the supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of the Aircraft Accident Investigation System.
Eligible bidders will be required to obtain further information from the Head, Supply Chain Management Services, State Department for Transport, Transcom House on the Upper Ground Floor from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Mondays to Fridays.
The bids must be delivered by December 14, 2023.
"Electronic bids shall not be accepted," the notice read in part.
According to the notice, the system is also expected to establish a database in line with international standards, including the European Co-ordination Centre for Accident and Incident Reporting Systems.
Through the Transport Ministry, the new system will be facilitated by the Kenya Transport Accident Investigation Bureau - an entity that was recently approved to investigate road, rail and air accidents
Recently, the country experienced three aircraft incidents in a span of two days. On November 21, 2023, a teacher who was distributing the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) papers in Garissa County died after being struck by helicopter blades.
24 hours earlier, a helicopter rushing to collect KCSE papers in Wajir crashed. No fatalities were recorded as the pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries and were rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
On the same day, a Kenya Army Chopper crashed during takeoff at Wajir Airport. Videos posted online showed the chopper taking off before crashing shortly.
Duty officers at Wajir Police Station explained that the pilot and Arabajhan Ward MCA Abey Jimaale sustained minor injuries and were transferred to Wajir County Referral Hospital for admission.
