Police summon Malala over alleged security breach during school games

Police in Kakamega have given Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala until Friday to record a statement with the Western Regional Criminal Investigation Officer for breaching security protocol during school games.

Speaking to the Press in his office, Western Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said the former Kakamega senator must present himself to record a statement regarding the incident where he landed with a helicopter in the middle of the pitch at Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega on Saturday, during the final match between Musingu Boys and St Joseph Boys Kitale.

Mohamud said Malala’s action during the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term Two National football games was a breach of national security that endangered lives.

Mohamud insisted that the act was against the Civil Aviation rules and the Civil Aviation Act 2013, Basic Education Act, Ministry of Education guidelines on the safety of children and Penal Code, and failure by Malala to record a statement, he will be arrested and charged in court.

"This was an ill-advised intrusion, disrupted national school events, endangers lives and causes panic, and he violated any protocol known for aviation, which is child safety and public event management, and therefore I call upon Malala to report to RCIO Western before Friday so that he can record his statement as investigation is ongoing," he said.

"He will face full criminal charges, and if he fails to honour the summons. We will look for him anywhere in the country and arrest him," he added.

The police boss said that Malala’s action was not an emergency landing or an accident, but purely political theatrics at the expense of the children’s safety.

"It was around 14:30hrs when a private chopper landed abruptly without any prior notice, clearance and coordination and directly landed in the pitch that is occupied by students, sports officials and hundreds of football fans, and this was just after half-time. It was not an emergency landing or an accident; this was reckless, self-serving publicity orchestrated by Cleophas Malala for the sake of cheap political mileage and glorifying at the expense of the safety and well-being of our children and citizens," said Mohamud.

The police boss said that the former senator and his pilot will face criminal charges, and vowed not to allow public disorder from politicians during the upcoming East African Games.

"Our children are not crops; we will not allow disorder and impunity to endanger the lives of our future generation. Malala and his pilot were irresponsible, suppose the chopper malfunctions, we would have lost lives, and we cannot take it as a simple matter," said Mohamud.

"The two caused a direct threat to the safety and dignity of Kenyans. Consequently, a full criminal investigation is underway in collaboration with civil aviation, the Ministry of Education and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and therefore, Malala, the pilot, and accomplices involved in this unauthorised landing will face criminal charges for endangering public safety," he added.

Mohamud told the Standard that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is already investigating the company that owns the helicopter.

"We are in constant communication with the KCAA, and its Director General has informed that they are going to ground the company and revoke its license over the incident, which was irresponsible and unprofessional," said Mohamud.

The police boss issued a stern warning to politicians who intend to use public events for cheap politics, that they will face the law.

He said attempts to arrest Malala after the finals were futile.

"After the finals, we were to arrest Malala, but he invaded the arrest and caused an obstruction, which led to a traffic snarl-up along Mumias-Kakamega highway. We tried to use teargas to disperse the traffic, but we abandoned it because it could have caused more danger, such as a stampede," said Mohamud.

During the incident, a chopper landed in the middle of the pitch, before Malala disembarked and proceeded to the VIP section.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale were in attendance.