The Kenya Air Traffic Controllers Association was incepted in 1977 after the disintegration of the East Africa Community. The East Africa Controllers Association ceased to exist and the member countries formed their own professional associations. Kenyan air traffic controllers formed KATCA, which was incorporated in the Republic of Kenya as a professional association on 6th April 1979.
HISTORY OF
THE KENYA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS' ASSOCIATION
The first KATCA officials were:
Chairman: Raphael Kimilu
Secretary: Athanus Wanyama
Treasurer: Samuel Muthami
Forging forward...
Since its formation, KATCA has continued to promote the air traffic control profession and the betterment of ATCOs in Kenya, engaging top management and government officials at all levels to realize better working conditions for air traffic controllers.
"One must realize that war is common, and justice strife, and that all things come to be through strife and are so ordained"
- Heraclitus, Fragments
As the voice of the Kenyan air traffic controller, KATCA was the platform that enabled the air traffic controllers to engage the then employer (DCA) in dialogue during the periods when the air traffic control staff carried out industrial action (Go-slow) in 1979, 1992,1996,1997,1998 and industrial action in 2002; where all ANS technical staff were involved.
The industrial disputes were occasioned by poor working conditions in control rooms, poor remuneration that was not commensurate to the workload and not in line with the recommendations of International Labour Organization (ILO) meeting in 1979, where the Kenyan Aviation sector participated.
The 2002 industrial action saw the formation of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) through the amendment of Cap. 394 of the laws of Kenya, delinking the Directorate of Civil Aviation from the mainstream Civil Service thus improving the terms of service and working conditions in the control rooms.
Unfortunately, the said industrial action also resulted into loss of jobs for 39 Air traffic controllers. Those who lost their jobs included 5 Executive Board members namely; David Salim, David Kangethe, Tabitha Litala, William Abira and Pamela Owiti.
The other Executive Board members were, Keziah Ogutu, Bonface Mungai, and Flora Wakolo
MILESTONES
01
1987
KATCA hosted the 26th IFATCA annual conference in Nairobi and the first time in Africa. The Conference enabled the Authorities to appreciate KATCA work and concerns.
02
2010
The IFATCA Africa and Middle East regional annual conference was hosted in Nairobi and was greatly supported by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority management
03
2019
Through the full support of KCAA management, KATCA hosted the joint meeting of IFATCA’s Professional, Legal, Technical and Operational Committees in Nairobi.
04
2021
Members elected the first ever female President of KATCA, Madam Maureen Isika, during the 43rd KATCA AGM held at Boma Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
OFFICIALS
Former Chairpersons/Presidents and CEOS
1. Raphael Kimilu 2. Reuben Mahero 3. Benard Gatune 4. Henry Ochieng 5. Arthur Kitao 6. Erastus Njogu 1995 - 1998 7. Mucheni Ruriani 1998 - 2001 8. David Salim 2001 - 2002 9. Richard Cherop 2003 - 2007 10. Andrew Ochieng 2008 - 2008 11. James Seda 2008 - 2009 12. Alfred Wagura 2010 - 2011 13. Peter Oduor 2012 - 2017 14. Peter Ang'awa 2018 - 2019 15. Benson Osoro 2020 16. Maureen Isika 2021 17. Joshua Ngere 2021 - 2022
Chairman transition to...
President
Initially the CEO of KATCA title was the Chairman until 2012 when the title changed to President following an amendment to the KATCA constitution so as to align with IFATCA’s recommended leadership structure
KATCA going places
International Achievers
Executive Vice Presidents – AFM KATCA has since inception been able to produce two Executive Vice Presidents in Africa and Middle East namely, 1. Raphael Kimilu 2. Keziah Ogutu.
KATCA continues to work within the requirements of IFATCA to see to it that the international objectives are met at the local level through positive engagement with members and KCAA management as well as aviation stakeholders in Kenya.