The committee on Administration and National security made an impromptu visit to the NPS Airwing in Nairobi where Interior ministry shocked MPs on Tuesday with the purchase of four multi billion-shilling helicopters for the National police service without the approval by the House.
The team chaired by Kiambaa MP paul Koinange was told that the aircraft, valued at about Sh 4 billion, will arrive from Italy today. Director Rander Mbithi told the lawmakers that the helicpters will be received at Jome Kenyatta Airport.
He said procurement was done by Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and the NPS led by Inspecotr General of Police Joseph Boinnet. The helicopters were bought from Augusta Westland company.“As Airwing, we only gave specifications and left the rest to the ministry and the National Police Service,” he said, adding that another two choppers will arrive at a later date.
Koinange said: “The committee was not informed. Members were surprised that aircraft can be bought without their knowledge. But we will follow up to the end.”Fred Matiang’i is the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Interior ministry.
Mbithi showed the committee two aircraft at the Airwing that were not being used due to lack of repairs. He said police risk losing chopper licences from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority because they don’t have insurance cover.“We have a big fight with KCAA because our aircraft are not insured,” he said.
Almost 2 years ago, the late Joseph Nkaissery who was the Interior CS at the time, witnessed the formal handover of the Mi-17V-5 multi-role helicopter from a Russian company to the National Police Service, whose purpose was to transport cargo and passengers including VIPs. They war said to be ease to of operate and maintain.
