Anxiety over delay in naming civil aviation boss

There is growing concern among air operators over the delay in naming a new Kenya Civil Aviation Authority director general to replace long-serving Chris Kuto.

Mr Kuto left the authority last month after seeing through the one-year extension on his contract. He should have officially retired in December 2007 after serving for five years as KCAA boss.

Members of the Kenya Association of Air Operators and the Aero Club of East Africa argue that KCAA is too sensitive a body to be run by an acting director general.

They cite some major decisions which they say can only be made by a substantive director. The decisions concern air safety, licensing new airlines and contracting dealers to purchase navigational aids.

A KCAA source, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to discuss the matter in the media, said the Authority needed a CEO who can give clear directions about adhering to new civil aviation regulations drawn up in line with the International Civil Authority Organisation.

“The (aviation) industry is very sensitive. We need somebody who can develop and maintain standards of air safety,” he said.

Mr Nicholas Bodo was named acting director general by Transport Permanent Secretary Abdulrazaq Ali on December 12. He had been a KCAA board member representing the minister but is said to have no background in aviation.

KCAA chairman Charles Wako told the Sunday Nation that the board may have to re-advertise the job if Transport minister Chirau Mwakwere does not appoint any of the three candidates whose names the board submitted to him in October last year. Mr Wako said the minister seemed dissatisfied with the list of names.

“The parent ministry has told us there was some technical aspect we may have overlooked during the advertisement and interviews,” he said.

The three candidates were among six an international firm of accountants had interviewed and shortlisted in July from among 53 candidates.

However, Mr Wako declined to give further details or the names of the candidates, saying he was bound by the Civil Service rule against discussing confidential information with the media.
He said only the minister or Mr Ali could give such information. Neither could be reached for comment.

Mr Wako said he knew there was concern in the industry due to the delay to name a director at the Authority but he sought to downplay its impact.

“I know there is concern in the (aviation) industry. But I don’t know where the concern is coming from in the first place. The industry is intact. They (air operators) would like the process taken (faster). You cannot rush decisions. Many factors have to be considered. The NSIS has to be involved in vetting the candidates,” Mr Wako said.

But he added that there was still time to name the next director.

“I can assure you the parent ministry is taking action,” Mr Wako said. “It could be sooner. In fact, no one is to blame over the appointment. We don’t want to act in haste and regret.