This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
Published on November 2, 2019, by WALTER MENYA
Silverstone Air Services, an airline at the center of recent accidents, is facing intense scrutiny over its ties to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The controversy centers around Sheila Muturi, Silverstone's accountable manager, who previously worked as an aviation inspector at KCAA before joining the airline.
Ms. Muturi may have handled Silverstone's air licensing applications during her time as a regulator, sparking allegations of conflict of interest.
When questioned about the allegations, Ms. Muturi stated that there is no law in Kenya prohibiting an employee from leaving the public sector to join the private sector.
She added that she had left her role at KCAA in accordance with the law and had been employed by Silverstone Air in full compliance with the Employment Act and the constitution.
However, critics argue that the aviation industry is a specialist field, and the KCAA employs experts from within the industry. They claim that oversight of an entity is not a one-man show and that there are numerous checks and balances in place.
Amid the recent accidents and incidents, Ms. Muturi has become the public face of the airline, with the Somow brothers, who are behind the airline, keeping a low profile.
At Wilson Airport, some operators have expressed concerns that the KCAA is not doing enough to safeguard the integrity of the aviation sector.
Following the latest incident involving Silverstone Air Services, the director general of KCAA, Captain Gilbert Kibe, issued a statement announcing an audit of the airline to determine its level of compliance with civil aviation regulations and its own company-approved manuals and procedures.
