Three MPs and other passengers cheated death twice after they were involved in two plane mishaps.

An East African Air Safari aircraft destined for Kisumu developed mechanical problems as it taxied at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) runway in Nairobi.

The passengers, who included MPs Joseph Magwanga (Kasipul Kabondo), Mr James Rege (Karachuonyo) and Mr Fred Outa (Nyando), were immediately transferred to another plane belonging to the same company.

But barely 20 minutes into the journey, the second aircraft developed engine problems as it flew over the Aberdare Mountains and was forced to return to JKIA for an emergency landing.

The MPs were going to prepare for Prime Minister Raila Odinga's homecoming and attend to their constituencies' matters. The three said they stared death in the face in the yesterday morning incidents.

"They were scary moments. We escaped death twice and we must thank God for everything," said Magwanga.

But the infuriated MPs accused the airline of having little regard for life.

"The second plane was billowing smoke as we landed. That means it was in a bad condition," said Rege.

"You cannot experiment with people's lives. How could the airline transfer us from a bad plane to another in a worse condition? This is suspicious and we take the matter seriously," Rege said.

The MP said he would raise the matter in Parliament.

"I wonder whether the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has slept on the job. How can such planes be allowed to operate?" he posed.

Unwilling to take another chance with their lives, Magwanga and Rege travelled by road, but Outa booked an evening flight.

But the JKIA control tower termed the incidents as "minor".

Many passengers were left stranded at the airport while the airline made alternative travel arrangements.

The tower officials said the pilot noted a technical hitch in the aircraft and sent a request to make an air turn back to JKIA, which was granted.

Fire fighters and engineers were at hand at the airport for any eventuality, but the aircraft made a safe landing.

In the last several weeks, various aircraft, including national carrier Kenya Airways have been involved in mishaps.

Consequently, the Government has authroised all commercial aviation operators to employ the Safety Management System (SMS), as directed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a body that oversees global aviation safety.

The Director of Air Accident Investigation at the Transport ministry, Eng Peter Wakahia, told The Saturday Standard that SMS guaranteed a high standard of safety in aircraft.

"To improve aviation safety in the face of increased activity, it has become necessary to employ new methods.

"Safety management has moved from reactive, to a mixture of reactive and proactive," said Wakahia.

He said ICAO demands that individual operators, maintenance organisations, air traffic service providers and certified aerodrome operators implement SMSs accepted by the country of operation.