Kibaki in helicopter scare

There was a security scare in Kitutu Chache constituency in Kisii North district on Wednesday afternoon when a helicopter carrying President Kibaki was forced to abort take off following engine trouble.

The pilot of the military Puma helicopter brought it back to ground soon after take off when thick smoke was seen billowing.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened at St Monica Marani Secondary School playground from where the President was taking off to a public rally at Kibabe.

“The President had just boarded his military helicopter after addressing a public rally at Marani shopping centre in Kitutu Chache when a ball of fire was seen in one engine forcing the pilot to switch it off,” Mr Dominic Nyarora who was at the scene said.

The President was immediately transferred to a second helicopter.
Kenya's Chief of General Staff, Gen Jeremiah Kianga has issued a statement saying the incident did not expose the President to any danger.

"One of the two engines of the military Puma helicopter which was ferrying the President from Marani to Kibabe in Kisii North District experienced a malfunction on take off. On noticing this the pilot elected to land immediately as is the drill in such situations," Gen Kianga said.

However, there have been calls for investigations to be carried out to establish the safety of Kenya's air space following several incidents in which prominent personalities have lost their lives in plane accidents in the country.

Air travel for Kenyan VIPs has become a matter of public concern following recent tragedies.

Last year, the Minister for Roads, Mr Kipkalya Kones and the Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Ms Lorna Laboso died in a plane crash in June.

In 2006, a Kenya Air Force plane crashed in Marsabit, killing five MPs.

In 2003, two Cabinet Ministers were among VIPs returning from a home-coming party for then Vice-President Moody Awori when their plane crashed in Busia.