Senate Committee Confronts Aviation Authorities Over Wilson Airport Safety Lapses After Narrow Escape For 39 Passengers

Senate transport committee investigates Wilson Airport after a Safarilink plane skids off the runway. Lawmakers demand better safety and emergency readiness.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 7:09 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

Legislative Oversight Triggered By High Profile Aviation Scare

The Senate Committee on Roads and Transport has initiated a formal inquiry into the operational safety of Wilson Airport following a harrowing incident involving a passenger aircraft. On March 26, the committee, led by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, inspected the facility to determine the cause of a runway excursion that occurred on Friday evening, March 20. The incident involved a Safarilink flight, operated on a wet-lease by ALS, which skidded off the tarmac upon landing from Kisumu. With 39 lives at stake, the committee is examining whether the airport currently meets the international standards required for safe passenger operations, particularly during adverse weather conditions.

Senator Among Survivors Flags Critical Infrastructure Failures

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who was personally aboard the troubled flight, has emerged as a primary critic of the airport’s emergency preparedness. Osotsi publicly challenged the efficiency of the on-site rescue teams, characterizing their intervention as unacceptably slow and disorganized. Beyond the immediate response, the Senator highlighted several chronic infrastructure deficits, including non-functional surveillance cameras and inadequate runway lighting. He argued that while the pilot’s quick decision-making prevented a catastrophic outcome, the current state of the airport’s safety technology poses an ongoing risk to the thousands of travelers who use the domestic hub daily.

Aviation Authority Defends Air Traffic Control Protocols

During the heated session, the Director General of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Emile Rao, maintained that all technical systems were operational at the time of the incident. Rao clarified that Air Traffic Control (ATC) remains active throughout the airport's extended operating hours, which now reach until 10:00 p.m. following a trial period requested by stakeholders. He emphasized that it is technically impossible for an aircraft to land at Wilson if the facility were closed or if the runway lights were not powered. This testimony seeks to shift the focus away from total equipment failure and toward the specific environmental conditions present during the flight's arrival.