𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, chaired by Hon. George Kariuki, MP(Ndia), recently held a crucial meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Alfred Mutua. The meeting aimed to discuss the consideration of two significant agreements and protocols related to aviation.
The first agreement on the agenda was the East African Community (EAC) Multilateral Agreement on Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation. This agreement focuses on establishing a comprehensive framework for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents within the East African region. Its purpose is to enhance cooperation among member states in accident investigations and improve aviation safety and security in the region.
While the second involved the protocols relating to the amendment of Article 50(a) and Article 56 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1994 (commonly known as the Chicago Convention). These protocols, which were adopted on October 1, 2016, aim to amend specific Articles within the Convention to accommodate the growing number of contracting parties joining the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
During the meeting Members delibarated on the proposed amendments primarily seek to increase the membership of the council (Article 50(a)) and the Air Navigation Commission (Article 56).
Lawmakers’ were informed that the amendments seek to address the expanding membership of ICAO and the emergence of sub-regions that lack proper representation within the organization. By increasing the membership, the aim is to ensure adequate regional participation in decision-making processes related to international civil aviation matters.
According the CS, Dr. Alfred Mutua, Kenya is party to the Chicago Convention; however, it has not yet ratified the protocols. The discussion held during the meeting stressed the importance of Kenya’s participation in these amendments and the subsequent ratification of the protocols. Doing so would enable Kenya to contribute actively to the decision-making processes and represent its interests effectively within ICAO.
The Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, will continue to deliberate on these agreements and protocols in order to enhance Kenya’s participation and influence within the international aviation community, bolstering the country’s commitment to aviation safety, security, and efficient air navigation.
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