This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
On Tuesday, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) conducted a search and rescue drill, simulating a missing plane incident, which sent panic among the public.
However, it was later revealed that the exercise was a multi-agency drill involving KCAA, the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Meteorological Department, National Disaster Operations Centre, Kenya Wildlife Services, Ministry of Health, Kenya Airports Authority, and Kenya Airways.
According to KCAA Director General Capt. Gilbert M. Kibe, the exercise was meticulously planned for over a year, with the aim of assessing the State's level of preparedness in search and rescue operations.
The drill tested the teams' coordination, communication, command, and control of the National Aeronautical Search and Rescue system in responding to an aviation incident or accident.
It's worth noting that a similar incident occurred in June last year, when a light aircraft went missing en route to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. The aircraft was later found at Elephant Point in the Aberdares, with no survivors.
Investigation reports blamed the pilots for professional negligence and poor communication.
