By Francis Zyder
East African Nations’, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are amongst 28 countries that have been feted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Kenya was awarded with the ICAO Council President Certificate in recognition of the countries’ significant progress in improving their effective implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in Aviation Security in 2018.
Speaking at the 40th Session of ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works, Hon. James W. Macharia, EGH affirmed that Kenya will continue to enhance security measures at our airports and aviation installations across the country, to ensure the Safety and Security of all passengers and airport users.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General Capt. Gilbert M. Kibe reiterated that the ICAO Council President Certificate is an acknowledgement of Kenya’s efforts in ensuring that the Kenyan airspace is safe and secure for aviation consumers. In 2016, Kenya scored 88% against the global average of 64% in the ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach ((USAP-CMA) and looks forward to improving on this score in the upcoming USAP Audit in 2020.
“Over the years, the Authority has strived towards improving our Aviation Security processes and systems in compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) which in turn have enhanced our National Aviation Security of the Kenyan airspace. With this award, we are not only glad that the efforts of the great team here at KCAA and key industry stakeholders have been recognized, but it also gives us the impetus to do more.”
“The awards, established by the ICAO Council in support of its ongoing No Country Left Behind initiative, were developed to recognise, publicly acknowledge and encourage States’ commitment and progress in making the Aviation global network safer and secure”, commented Council President Dr. Bernard Aliu.
The effective implementation of SARPs is considered a fundamental prerequisite for establishing air transport’s rapid global connectivity, and in turn the many socio-economic benefits it helps to realize.