Political leaders have now been banned from using Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopters, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said.
Speaking during a televised interview on a local TV station on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Duale said the KDF has come up with a policy that bars politicians from using KDF choppers.
Duale on use of KDF choppers
Duale who was responding to a viewer’s question on whether politicians are allowed to used military helicopters, said the choppers are meant for specific functions within the KDF.
“We have now a policy in KDF, we are not going to carry politicians. Helicopters are meant for specific functions within KDF, they are part and parcel of the assets we have in safeguarding the country. They carry our troops, go to operations so not only helicopters but all our assets, going forward,” Duale said.
Asked whether the Cabinet Secretaries are allowed to use the military helicopters, Duale said it is only him and his Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki that are allowed to use the military assets while visiting operation areas.
“I am allowed to use the KDF choppers when flying to an operation area. My colleague from the Ministry of Interior can also use the military assets when flying to our operation area, or use the Kenya Police assets,” Duale stated.
“I drive myself when visiting my rural home. The roads are good,” he added.
State of KDF choppers
Duale further dismissed claims that most of the military equipment used in the country are worn out, pointing out that he constantly used the same chopper that former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla used.
Speaking on the chopper that killed General Ogolla, Duale said he had used the chopper more that 15 times, before it crashed.
He noted that the helicopter, a Bell Huey II, was a unique machine that could fly at night, and that KDF troops use the model to fly to very difficult terrains.
“I used the aircraft that killed Ogolla, a number of times, in fact more than 15 times. We used it when we were going to operational areas. It is a very unique machine that can fly at night. Our troops use it in very difficult terrain,” Duale stated.
There have been growing concerns over a section of politicians and top government leaders’ continued use of military choppers when carrying out their political activities.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, opposition chief Raila Odinga, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, and UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala are some of the politicians that have flown in military choppers before.
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