Senior Counsel Paul Muite has cast doubt on the official government report attributing the fatal helicopter crash that killed former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla to engine malfunction.
In a statement issued on Saturday, April 12, Muite criticized the Ministry of Defence’s report for lacking critical technical details about what caused the engine failure.
He urged the government to provide a more transparent and comprehensive explanation of the incident, including the chopper’s maintenance history.
“Given the trust deficit in the current regime and the public’s suspicions, people expected full disclosure on the cause of the engine failure including service records to rule out deliberate interference,” Muite stated.
“Was there a qualified investigator who withdrew from the process?”
The veteran lawyer also questioned the credibility and independence of the investigative team, expressing concern that such inquiries often lack impartiality.
According to Muite, governments frequently use Commissions of Inquiry as tools to delay accountability and suppress public outrage.
“Commissions of Inquiry are often used to buy time, ease public anger, and appoint compliant commissioners,” he noted.
“It’s a tactic to obscure the truth. Who really trusts the findings of the Saitoti Commission?”
Muite drew parallels between the Ogolla crash investigation and the unresolved 2012 helicopter crash that killed former Interior Minister George Saitoti, implying both cases may share a common pattern of concealment.
His remarks came just hours after the Ministry of Defence released a detailed report on the April 11 accident, confirming that the Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) helicopter designated KAF 1501 suffered an engine malfunction that led to the crash.
According to the investigation, after experiencing a complete power loss, the helicopter’s pilots attempted to guide the aircraft to a clear landing zone but ultimately lost control.
The crash claimed the lives of General Ogolla and 10 other military officers.
The inquiry, which examined factors such as weather conditions and aircraft weight, concluded that engine failure was the sole cause of the disaster.
Despite the findings, Muite maintains that the public deserves a deeper investigation and full disclosure, especially given the military chief’s high-profile role and the tragic loss of life.
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