GHAC Conference
14
Oct
Summary
What this edition was
The Humanitarian Aviation Safety Campaign returned to Nairobi on 2 and 3 September 2026 at the Argyle Grand Hotel, bringing together the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, WFP, ICAO, UNHAS, operators and industry partners.
Day 1 opened with remarks from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, WFP, ICAO, UNHAS and Pratt & Whitney Canada, followed by sessions on managing risks in a region of uneven aviation maturity, safety data analysis and the management of change. Day 2 ran concurrent sessions on human factors in aviation maintenance, air traffic control, flight crew and cabin operations, and closed with a human factors panel discussion and a call for action from the KCAA.
Agenda
The programme
Full agenda (PDF)Every session, speaker and time in one printable document.
Day 1: 2 September 2026
08:00 - 08:30
Registration
08:30 - 08:45
Welcome tea, coffee and networking
08:45 - 09:00
Opening Ceremony
National and East African anthems, welcoming speech, hotel security brief, campaign activities brief.
09:00 - 09:15
Official Opening
Nicholas Bodo, Ag. Director General, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
09:15 - 09:25
WFP Regional Director, ESARO
Eric Perdison, Regional Director, ESARO.
09:25 - 09:35
WFP Aviation Safety Overview
Bakoniaina Rakotoniony, Regional Aviation Safety Officer.
09:35 - 09:45
ICAO
Elisha Omuya, Regional Officer, AGA.
09:45 - 10:00
UNHAS
Nicole Kasongo Mukenge, Deputy Chief Air Transport Officer.
10:00 - 10:10
Pratt & Whitney Canada: PT6 maintenance practices
Nicholas Kithinji, Field Support Manager, East Africa.
10:20 - 10:30
Organizing Operators Remarks
Ayub Hussein, EXCO, Operators.
10:30 - 11:00
Networking and coffee break
11:00 - 12:00
Managing Risks in a Region of Uneven Aviation Maturity
Alex Avedi, Safarilink Aviation.
12:00 - 13:00
Safety Data Analysis
Capt. Haig Anyonyi, Kenya Airways.
13:00 - 14:00
Networking and lunch break
14:00 - 15:00
Management of Change (MOC)
Winfred Mwamburi MRAeS, Dragonfly Aviation Limited.
15:00 - 15:30
Day 1 wrap-up and introduction to the next day
Registration confirmation for Day 2.
15:30 - 16:00
Networking and coffee break
Day 2: 3 September 2026 (concurrent sessions)
08:00 - 08:45
Welcome tea, coffee and networking
08:45 - 09:45
Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance
Peninah Nginyo, KCAA Airworthiness Inspector.
09:45 - 10:45
Human Factors in Air Traffic Control
Maureen Isika, Air Traffic Controller.
10:45 - 11:00
Networking and coffee break
11:00 - 12:00
Human Factors in Flight Crew
Capt. Christian Strebel, Accountable Manager, Yellow Wings.
12:00 - 13:00
Human Factors in Cabin
Dennis Kyalo, Cabin Safety Specialist.
13:00 - 14:00
Networking and lunch break
14:00 - 15:45
Human Factors Panel Discussion
Moderator: Mike Mbithi. Panel: Mercy Chepkoech (KCAA), Peninah Nginyo (KCAA), Capt. Christian Strebel (Yellow Wings), Capt. Shafee Mohamed (Chief Pilot, Dragonfly).
15:45 - 16:00
Campaign wrap-up and a call for action
Eng. Mary Keter, KCAA Director of Safety and Security.
16:00 - 16:15
Networking and coffee break
Speakers
The voices on the podium
Elisha OmuyaRegional Officer, AGA, ICAO
Nicole Kasongo MukengeDeputy Chief Air Transport Officer, UNHAS
Nicholas KithinjiField Support Manager, East Africa, Pratt & Whitney Canada
Ayub HusseinEXCO, Organizing Operators
Alex AvediSafarilink Aviation
Capt. Haig AnyonyiKenya Airways
Peninah NginyoAirworthiness Inspector, KCAA
Maureen IsikaAir Traffic Controller, KCAA
Capt. Christian StrebelAccountable Manager, Yellow Wings Air Services
Dennis KyaloCabin Safety Specialist, Ebblink Aviation
Mike MbithiPanel Moderator
Mercy ChepkoechKenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA)
Capt. Shafee MohamedChief Pilot, Dragonfly Aviation
Madgaline UmaziMaster of Ceremonies
Mr. Bodo is currently the Acting Director General of the Authority having been appointed in April, 2026. Prior to appointment to the current position, Mr. Bodo served as the Director of Air Transport at the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development (SDAAD), Ministry of Roads and Transport and Alternate Board Director representing the Principal Secretary SDAAD.
Mr. Bodo is a seasoned public servant with over 25 years of experience in the aviation sector, he has held several senior leadership positions, including acting Managing Director/CEO of Kenya Airports Authority, and Director of Air Transport. He has also served on various government and aviation sector boards, including Kenya Airways PLC. Mr. Bodo holds degrees in Arts and Business Administration, is a Certified Public Secretary (K), and has specialized qualifications in aviation management and air law. He is widely recognized for his strategic leadership and extensive contribution to Kenya's aviation industry.
Over the past 27 years, Eric Perdison has worked in various capacities in the aviation industry with a vast experience in military and humanitarian operations.Upon graduation in Military Studies, Eric began his career as a transport pilot with the Ghanaian Air Force, where he conducted regular and specialized operations, including pilot to the VIP Squadron and in the Presidential Air Fleet. He held the positions of a Flight Commander, a Squadron Commander and was an Honour Graduate in the Officers’ Staff Course of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. He holds (FAA ATP) and type rated on six different aircraft.In 2003, Eric served with the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) before joining WFP in 2005. Prior to assuming the role of Chief of WFP’s Aviation Service, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Service from 2013, acting as the Chief for more than 18 months
Bakoniaina Rakotoniony serves as Regional Aviation Safety Officer with the World Food Programme (WFP) based in Nairobi, Kenya. She leads and supports aviation safety oversight activities across the region, specializing in operator evaluations, regulatory compliance, Safety Management Systems, risk management, and capacity building. With extensive experience in aviation safety oversight, regulatory compliance, and operator surveillance, she works closely with operators, regulators, and international stakeholders to strengthen safety performance, enhance oversight capabilities, and advance the implementation of international aviation standards in support of safe and effective humanitarian air operations.
Winfred Hope Mwamburi, MRAeS, is a licensed aircraft engineer and aviation safety professional with over 15 years of experience in aircraft maintenance, airworthiness, safety management, and regulatory compliance. She serves as Head of Safety at Dragonfly Aviation Limited and has held senior aviation leadership roles. Currently pursuing an MSc in Airworthiness at Cranfield University, Winfred is also a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and serves on committees supporting humanitarian aviation safety, mentorship, and professional development for women in aviation maintenance.
With a Master of Science in Aviation and Transportation from Lewis University in Chicago, USA, Mary brings a rich blend of local and global expertise to her role as Director of Aviation Safety and Security Regulation.
Her track record includes her tenure as the former Manager of the Airworthiness Department, a key contributor to the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Expert Working Group on Airworthiness, and the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) National Coordinator for Kenya.
Gallery
From the floor
Resources
Presentations & downloads
PDF
Managing Risks in a Region of Uneven Aviation Maturity (Alex Avedi, Safarilink Aviation)
PDF
Safety Data Analysis (Capt. Haig Anyonyi, Kenya Airways)
PDF
Management of Change (Winfred Mwamburi, Dragonfly Aviation)
PDF
Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance (Peninah Nginyo, KCAA)
PDF
Human Factors in Air Traffic Control (Maureen Isika, KCAA)
PDF
Human Factors in Flight Crew (Capt. Christian Strebel, Yellow Wings)
PDF
Human Factors in Cabin (Denis Kyalo, Ebblink Aviation)
Keep going
Earlier in the archive
GHAC Conference
GHAC Conference
15
Oct
17th Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference and Exhibition
CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel, Türkiye
15 Oct 2025
→
Humanitarian Aviation Campaign
28
Aug