APs ready for the skies as two pilots trained

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PHOTO | COURTESY Administration Police’s newly acquired chopper. 

By FRED MUKINDA fmukinda@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, August 11  2012 at  23:30

IN SUMMARY

• Police unit acquired its first chopper in June but aerial operations had been put on hold

The war against terrorism and other crimes has been boosted after the Administration Police acquired its first aircraft.

The chopper, a Bell 407, was bought in June but the aerial operations had been put on hold because the unit did not have qualified personnel to fly it.

Last month, two pilots and two engineers were recruited from the Air Force and other services and retrained in the United States by the aircraft’s manufacturer for proficiency.

“The officers are back from the US. They are seasoned pilots who were picked following thorough interviews conducted by the Public Service Commission. We are going to be airborne sooner than later,” said AP spokesman Masoud Mwinyi.

AP officers are mainly deployed in remote outposts and border districts, largely supplementing the military in checking infiltration of armed militias like the al-Shabaab.

“This is part of the logistical capacity enhancement detailed in the police reforms blueprint. This will start with rapid deployment units to enhance service delivery and effectiveness,” Mr Mwinyi said.

The chopper can carry up to 10 officers and was assembled at the Kenya Wildlife Service hangar at the Wilson Airport where it is currently stationed.

Experts are working to customise the aircraft, including setting up lenses and cameras to enable aerial surveillance. The aircraft was originally designed to carry personnel.

The pilots recruited were required to have a minimum of 1,500 helicopter flying hours and have since been appointed to the rank of Superintendent in the AP.

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“The bidding was competitive and the tender was advertised. We were doing it for the first time and so we wanted every aspect of procurement adhered to. The cost was wholly met by the government,” Mr Mwinyi said.

Adherence to the tendering process was referred to during the ongoing inquiry into a crash in which Internal Security minister George Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode were killed along with four police officers while travelling in an helicopter belonging to the Kenya Police in June.

While the AP’s air unit is at its infancy, the Kenya Police has a fully-fledged air wing, boasting 15 aircraft including helicopters and fixed-wing aeroplanes.

Besides the chopper, the AP also expect the delivery of a  second speedboat later this month to be used in patrolling areas under threat from terrorists and pirates along the Kenyan coastline. The British Government gave the unit a speedboat last month in Lamu.

“The boats will help in counter-terrorism efforts around Kiunga and Lamu on the Kenyan coastline, which is shared with Somalia where al-Shabaab has bases,” said Mr Mwinyi.