The National Police Service (NPS) Airwing has achieved a major milestone. It is now certified as an Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organization (AMO) by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The certification, granted on April 9, 2025, allows the Airwing to independently conduct aircraft maintenance, repairs, and inspections. All operations must comply with KCAA’s strict safety regulations.
Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, said the achievement reflects progress and a strong commitment to safety. He added that it boosts the Airwing’s operational readiness and reliability.
“This strategic advancement was made possible through the dedication and teamwork of our officers, engineers, and support staff,” he said.
Lagat noted that the certification will reduce aircraft downtime. This means the fleet will stay ready to respond swiftly to national security and public safety needs.
The approval also supports the training and development of technical personnel. It lays the groundwork for a highly skilled and self-reliant workforce.
Lagat called the move a major step in transforming NPS institutions into centres of excellence.
The Commandant of the NPS Airwing, James Kabo, SAIG, praised the entire Airwing team for their role in the achievement. He reaffirmed the unit’s vision to become a regional hub for aviation excellence.
Established in 1949, the NPS Airwing supports law enforcement and emergency response. Its roles include aerial surveillance, search and rescue, disaster response, and crime prevention.
The new certification strengthens its ability to carry out these functions safely and effectively.
The Airwing operates a fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing planes for police use. However, it has faced challenges in recent years, including underfunding.
A task force on police reforms had recommended that the Airwing be returned to full control of the NPS. The team stressed that operations must follow KCAA standards, including maintenance, staff qualifications, training, and accreditation.
The task force also urged Parliament to allocate enough funding for the Airwing’s effective operation. As an alternative, it proposed leasing police aircraft, similar to leasing vehicles.
The Airwing was returned to police control three years after the National Air Support Department (NASD) had taken over.
NPS lost control of its Airwing in December 2020, following an executive order by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. The directive placed all government air assets under NASD, a department within the Ministry of Defence.
NASD was tasked with managing all air operations and maintenance across government entities. These included the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Kenya Pipeline Company, and the Ministry of Health, among others.
The decision was driven by allegations of mismanagement and corruption at the Airwing. This led to an internal probe, though its findings were never made public.
The Airwing’s return was part of recommendations by the Justice (Rtd) David Maraga-led Taskforce on Police and Prison Reforms.
An executive order followed, allowing the KDF to manage police aircraft. This was meant to ensure proper service, use, and management of state-owned planes.
During the three years under NASD, police aircraft were largely unavailable for emergencies. Most planes were unserviceable, and four had crashed.
The task force noted that while management issues at the Airwing were a concern, transferring control to NASD was not the right solution. Instead, it said, the issues should have been addressed internally.
