US officials meet Eng. Kamau and deny claims that Kenyan airspace is unsafe

The Cabinet Secretary Transport and Infrastructure on 22nd July 2014 at 9 am held a meeting with Mrs. Christine L. Sharp, Manager Europe/Africa/Middle East Staff of the US Federal Aviation Administration.

During the meeting the CS briefed Mrs. Sharp of the measures that the government of Kenya had taken to strengthen the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to enable the State achieve the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 status.

In addition, the CS thanked the FAA for the technical support that has been given to KCAA. Mrs. Sharp acknowledged the steps Kenya has made towards attainment of Cat 1 and noted that it is a question of when and not if, Kenya will achieve Cat 1.

At 1 pm the Cabinet Secretary met Mr. Melvin Carraway, Deputy Administrator of the US Transportation Security Administration. During the meeting the CS thanked the TSA for the support given after the fire in August 2013 of Pieces Immigration Screening equipment and tents. He also thanked the TSA for the donation of 20 Explosive Trace Detection equipment last week. The CS stressed that Kenya has taken security of its citizens and passengers seriously and was in the process of constructing a screening facility at the entrance to JKIA. He also explained the various measures that have been taken to improve security at all our airports. Mr. Carraway on his part noted that the Kenya Airports Authority had put in place many measures since the last TSA assessment of security at JKIA. The recent press report on security of the Kenyan airspace was discussed and it was clear that the report was based on outdated information relating to the 2002 Israeli aircraft attempt in Mombasa. It was confirmed had not taken into account the recent improvements in the airspace security management.