NAIROBI, KENYA – Irked by reports that seem to cast suspicion on the safety of its airspace, Kenya has moved to re-assure the international community that its skies are safe.
“Our airspace is safe and fit for flying anytime,” Kenyan permanent secretary in the ministry of Transport, Dr. Gerishon Ikiara told reporters in Nairobi last week.
The official said Kenya has been conducting periodic audits and was in conformity with the requirements of set international standards.
“Our safety standards exceed the laid down requirements globally and we are also working round the clock to ensure that it is not compromised,” he said.
The PS said the state has invested heavily on air navigation equipment to guarantee the safety of its airspace.
The government, he said, had spent some Ksh3billion in the past three years to purchase the equipment that had been mounted and installed across the country to enable them adequately monitor the skies.
And to ensure further safety, the official said the state had embarked on a major long-term plan to expand and rehabilitate its airports in an exercise that would gobble Ksh80billion
Said he: “We are working on a long term expansion plan that would not only see the main airports expanded but would also ensure adequate infrastructure to facilitate convenient aviation,”
The exercise, he added, would also ensure Kenya makes the world-class mark in aviation to enable it effectively play its roles as the regional business and economic power base. The reassurance comes hot on the heels of reports that seemed to punch- holes on the safety of the Kenyan airspace. Some industry players had cast doubts on the security of the Kenyan skies.
