The former Internal Security Minister
George Saitoti’s family has said that they are ready to prove that the
helicopter crash that killed Saitoti and his assistant Orwa Ojode was planed.
The family came up with the assertion when the commission of inquiry into the
death of the two top government officials kicked off its investigations
yesterday.
Through their lawyer Fred Ngatia, Saitoti’s family said an
analysis on the inspections on the wreckage of the chopper had reveled what
they termed as strange happenings. We want to testify at the earliest
opportunity since our expert analysis of the baroscope report has proved
strange events.
The baroscope inspection on the wreckage was done on 12th
July in the presence of experts that represented the families. The family has
sought the expertise of two aviation experts from South Africa, one Mr. Tim
Carter and Chris Briefs.
According to Ngatia, Mr Carte has more than 50 years
experience in the aviation industry. Carter was in the company of Ngatia as he
made the application.
Judge Kaplana Rawal, the chair of the commission however
asked Ngatia to make a written application so that the commission can draw a
timetable of the events. Public hearing started yesterday with the lead counsel
saying they intend to call more than 80 witnesses to give testimony on their
mandate.
The hearing may run till December. The commission is also
investigating the procurement process and the purchase of the helicopter AS350
B3e.
It will also seek to
unfold whether or not the helicopter was serviced since its purchase, usage and
storage prior to the incident that occurred in Kibiku area of Ngong forest
outside the capital Nairobi.
Credit: The
Kenyan DAILY POST