Kenya Insights

Tag: Kenya Airways (KQ)

  • Chairing The Referee: Kittony’s Dual Roles Cast Shadows Over KQ’s Governance Revival

    Chairing The Referee: Kittony’s Dual Roles Cast Shadows Over KQ’s Governance Revival

    When Kenya Airways unveiled its new board on March 5, 2026, the announcement had the trappings of institutional renewal.

    Four fresh faces, led by veteran businessman Kiprono Kittony as chairman, were presented as the architects of the airline’s long-awaited turnaround. The fanfare lasted about 48 hours.

    By the weekend, Kenya’s financial and legal commentariat had torn into a detail the airline’s press release buried in its third paragraph: Kittony is also the sitting chairman of the Nairobi Securities Exchange, the very bourse on which KQ shares trade.

    The question now circulating in boardrooms, on social media, and increasingly in the offices of regulators is blunt.

    Can the man who chairs the exchange that lists and oversees Kenya Airways simultaneously chair Kenya Airways itself without compromising the structural independence that market integrity demands?

    “One can’t sit in the board of NSE and be a board member of a listed company. There is complete conflict of interest. It is worse when the board member is a chairman in both places.” — Governance commentator Ike Ojuku

    Corporate governance commentator Ike Ojuku was among the first to go on the record. Writing on X, Ojuku argued that the dual positions amounted to a complete conflict of interest and called on the Capital Markets Authority and the National Treasury to account for what he described as a failure of regulatory vigilance. “National Treasury and Capital Markets Authority are not doing their work,” Ojuku wrote in a post that was widely shared and cited in online governance discussions.

    The concern is not theoretical. NSE, as a securities exchange, holds a quasi-regulatory function over its listed companies.

    It enforces listing rules, monitors continuous disclosure obligations, reviews board composition changes, and can recommend or initiate enforcement action against listed companies in concert with the CMA.

    Kittony, as NSE chairman, presides over that oversight function. As KQ chairman, he is now the primary custodian of one of the listed companies that the exchange regulates. The two roles, in their most literal sense, put him on both sides of the oversight relationship simultaneously.

    The Standard reported that the KQ announcement did not address how Kittony intends to manage the two roles, an omission that governance observers found telling.

    The Capital Markets (Public Offers, Listings and Disclosures) Regulations, 2023, which currently govern listed companies, require issuers to disclose conflicts of interest at the point of appointment.

    KQ made the announcement pursuant to those very regulations but included no such disclosure.

    Professor Winnie Nyamute, also newly appointed to the KQ board, simultaneously sits on the NSE board, compounding the structural overlap critics have identified.

    The conflict has layers. Beyond Kittony, Standard Media reported that Professor Winnie Iminza Nyamute, one of the three other new independent non-executive directors appointed to the KQ board alongside him, also currently sits on the NSE board.

    The two now share seats in both the exchange’s boardroom and Kenya Airways’. That dual boardroom overlap between the same pair of individuals at the regulator and a listed company would raise eyebrows in any jurisdiction with functioning governance enforcement.

    Kenya’s legal architecture does not make the arrangement outright unlawful. The Companies Act, 2015 permits multiple directorships. Kenyan governance codes allow a person to chair up to two publicly listed companies provided conflicts are declared and managed.

    The CMA’s Circular No.06/2024, issued to clarify the 2023 regulations, specifies that non-executive directors must not hold executive or employee positions in related entities, but does not prohibit non-executive board chairmanships across the exchange and a listed company.

    Kittony’s defenders will note that the NSE chairmanship is itself a non-executive governance role, not an operational regulatory post, and that the NSE board’s day-to-day market oversight functions are executed by management, not the chairman.

    But governance does not run on legal technicalities alone, particularly when a national carrier at the centre of a government privatisation drive is involved.

    Kenya Airways has been navigating a bruising investor search after years of accumulated losses.

    The government is actively scouting for a strategic investor to revive the airline, a process that involves valuations, disclosures, and market-sensitive negotiations, all of which flow through or past the NSE’s oversight apparatus.

    The argument that Kittony’s NSE role creates at minimum an acute perception of conflict in that environment is one that even commentators sympathetic to his personal credentials have found difficult to dismiss.

    Kittony’s credentials themselves are not in question.

    He co-founded Betway Kenya and Radio Africa Group, chairs Mtech Limited and CreditInfo CRB Kenya, serves as vice chairman of the World Chambers Federation in Paris, and is widely credited with the rehabilitation of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry during his tenure as its chairman.

    He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi and a Global Executive MBA from USIU and Columbia University. He was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear in 2019 under former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The question his critics are raising is not about his competence. It is about institutional design.

    The government is actively scouting for a strategic investor for KQ. That process involves valuations, disclosures, and market-sensitive negotiations. Kittony’s role atop the exchange that oversees that market creates structural questions no amount of personal credentials can paper over.

    David Ndii’s appointment to the same board has attracted separate scrutiny of a political nature.

    Ndii previously served as chairperson of President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors, a role that was declared unconstitutional by the High Court in January 2026 after Justice Bahati Mwamuye found the Executive had bypassed the Public Service Commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission in creating and staffing the advisory positions.

    The court barred the National Treasury from disbursing any further funds to the 21 former advisers. Ndii dismissed the ruling as a pyrrhic victory and indicated the advisory relationship with the presidency would continue informally.

    His presence on the KQ board raises questions about the commercial and political independence of a board now navigating a sale process under the same government whose economic agenda Ndii has publicly championed.

    Kenya Airways, through Company Secretary Habil Waswani, congratulated the new board members and expressed confidence in their ability to steer the company forward.

    The airline did not respond to specific questions about how the structural conflicts identified by critics would be managed or whether CMA had been consulted prior to the announcement.

    Neither the CMA nor the National Treasury had issued a public statement on the matter at the time of going to press. The silence is itself a form of answer.

    In jurisdictions where governance enforcement is robust, an appointment of this nature would typically require pre-approval from the market regulator or, at minimum, a formal conflict declaration and recusal protocol lodged with the exchange before the announcement was made public.

    That none of this appears to have happened is the detail that governance observers are finding most alarming.

    For Kenya Airways, the governance controversy arrives at the worst possible moment. The airline’s recovery strategy depends on the credibility of its leadership to attract institutional investors willing to take a long-term stake in a loss-making carrier.

    Institutional investors, particularly foreign ones, apply their own governance screens before committing capital.

    A board chairman whose other hat belongs to the very institution regulating the company they are evaluating is exactly the kind of structural anomaly that triggers red flags in due diligence. Whatever Kittony’s personal standing, the arrangement hands prospective investors a ready-made excuse to negotiate harder or walk away entirely.

    The CMA and National Treasury now face a choice. They can let the appointment stand and trust that Kittony will manage the inherent tensions through robust conflict declaration and recusal mechanisms, a workable outcome only if those mechanisms are visible, enforceable, and credible.

    Or they can require KQ and Kittony to resolve the structural conflict by vacating one of the two roles, a course that would be disruptive but would restore the institutional clarity that market integrity requires.

    The third option, continued silence, is the one neither the market nor investors can afford.

  • Kenya In A Deal With Private Investor To Inject Sh258 Billion Into KQ

    Kenya In A Deal With Private Investor To Inject Sh258 Billion Into KQ

    Kenya’s government has launched an urgent international search for a strategic investor willing to inject up to $2bn into the debt-stricken national airline, marking the most dramatic intervention yet in a carrier that has drained state coffers for more than a decade.

    Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced on Wednesday that an expression of interest would be floated imminently to attract foreign capital of between Sh154.8bn ($1.2bn) and Sh258bn ($2bn), with the government prepared to sweeten the deal by bundling additional assets alongside the financially crippled airline.

    The move comes as Kenya Airways teeters on the edge of insolvency, with liabilities of Sh309.9bn dwarfing assets of just Sh180.3bn as of June 2025, producing a negative equity position of Sh129.5bn that has worsened from Sh118.2bn just six months earlier. The carrier’s balance sheet deterioration underscores the urgency of Nairobi’s search for a white knight investor capable of reversing years of mismanagement and undercapitalisation.

    “The new investor is expected to inject a minimum of $1.2bn and up to $2bn into the business,” Mbadi told reporters, adding that the government had already absorbed Sh63.1bn of the airline’s debt, which would be converted to equity once a strategic partner was secured. “This is not about a partner who merely injects money, but one who can run a successful airline.”

    The rescue effort has triggered fierce competition between state-backed investors from Singapore and Qatar, according to industry sources. Temasek Holdings, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund and majority owner of Singapore Airlines, has reportedly proposed acquiring a 90 per cent stake through fresh capital injections, though the firm has publicly denied the reports. Qatar Airways, meanwhile, is said to be pursuing a comprehensive management agreement that could include operational control of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport alongside its investment in the airline.

    The interest from Gulf and Asian state investors reflects the strategic value of Kenya Airways’ hub position in East Africa, even as the carrier’s financial performance remains dismal. The airline slumped to a half-year loss of Sh12.15bn in the six months to June 2025, a sharp reversal from the Sh634m profit posted in the same period the previous year and ending a brief return to profitability that had lasted barely 12 months.

    Speculation about an imminent deal has sent Kenya Airways shares soaring 69.7 per cent in eight trading days in January, pushing the stock to Sh5.04 and giving the carrier a market capitalisation of Sh28.6bn, despite the gaping hole in its balance sheet. The rally reflects investor hopes that a deep-pocketed strategic partner could transform the airline’s prospects, though sceptics question whether any investor would willingly shoulder such extensive liabilities.

    The rescue package represents the latest chapter in a tortured history of state intervention. In 2017, the government and 11 commercial banks, including KCB, Equity and Cooperative Bank, converted billions in debt to equity in a failed turnaround attempt. That swap increased the government’s stake to 48.9 per cent from 29.8 per cent while banks acquired 38.1 per cent through a special purpose vehicle, diluting Air France-KLM’s holding to just 7.8 per cent from 26.7 per cent.

    The government’s willingness to bundle other assets, possibly including airport terminals or ground handling operations, to attract investors highlights the desperation to offload an airline that has become a chronic drain on public finances. Analysts warn, however, that potential investors will demand not just equity rather than debt to avoid further balance sheet stress, but also operational autonomy that could prove politically contentious.

    “The proposal is reasonable, but the challenge will be getting an investor to commit funds and realise a return on investment,” said Eric Musau, head of research at Standard Investment Bank. “The government can add something to go along with the deal such as offering Kenya Airways airport terminals to the investor.”

    The Treasury’s search takes place against a backdrop of mounting pressure from the International Monetary Fund, which made finding a strategic investor for Kenya Airways a condition of its lending programme with Nairobi. The government’s failure to secure a partner has left this IMF conditionality unmet, adding urgency to the current effort even as the airline’s operating performance shows few signs of sustainable improvement.

    The carrier’s recent losses stemmed partly from the grounding of three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for maintenance, representing a third of its wide-body fleet and forcing route cancellations that decimated revenues and passenger numbers. The grounding exposed the airline’s vulnerability to fleet disruptions and raised questions about management competence.

    Leadership instability has further complicated the search for investors. Chief executive Allan Kilavuka departed in November after six years at the helm, months before his contract was due to expire in April 2026, while chairman Michael Joseph retired in June without being replaced. The dual leadership vacuum prompted Mbadi to acknowledge that governance fixes were now the priority before securing strategic investment.

    The government insists Kenya Airways will retain its national carrier status and preserve its JKIA hub advantage even under foreign ownership, though regulatory constraints limit foreign stakes to a maximum 49 per cent. Whether that proposition proves attractive to investors eyeing a carrier with decades of losses, a deteriorating balance sheet and persistent operational challenges remains the critical question facing Nairobi’s rescue effort.

    Industry observers note that Kenya Airways’ predicament mirrors broader struggles across African aviation, where carriers face high fuel costs, regulatory fragmentation, limited infrastructure and intense competition from Gulf airlines that have steadily eroded African carriers’ market share on intercontinental routes.

    The Treasury’s determination to find a solution before the airline’s financial position worsens further suggests that privatisation, long resisted on nationalist grounds, has become the only viable path forward. Yet the risk remains that even a multibillion-dollar injection may prove insufficient without fundamental operational reforms that previous rescue efforts have failed to deliver.

  • Elderly Passenger Dies on Kenya Airways New York- Nairobi Flight‬

    Elderly Passenger Dies on Kenya Airways New York- Nairobi Flight‬

    Kenya Airways has confirmed the death of an elderly passenger aboard flight KQ 003 from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) on Friday, April 11, 2025.

    The passenger suffered a medical emergency during the flight, prompting swift action from the crew and onboard medical professionals.

    The incident occurred at 8:40 a.m. Nairobi time, when the crew was notified of the passenger’s condition.

    Following international aviation protocols, the crew, assisted by three qualified medical professionals onboard, initiated emergency procedures and utilized available medical equipment.

    Despite these efforts, the flight was diverted to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Uganda for urgent care.

    Medical professionals pronounced the passenger deceased at 9:10 a.m. East Africa Time, before the aircraft landed.

    The flight resumed its journey and landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 10:27 a.m. Nairobi time.

    Upon arrival, Kenya Airways’ medical team, airport security, and relevant authorities managed the situation in accordance with established protocols.

    Kenya Airways is cooperating with the deceased’s family, local authorities, and aviation regulators to provide support and investigate the cause of death, adhering to clinical and legal guidelines.

    The airline expressed its condolences, stating, “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic event,” while emphasizing its commitment to privacy and dignity for all involved.

  • Kenya Airways Faces Backlash Over Passenger Treatment in Johannesburg and Nairobi: A Pattern of Controversy?

    Kenya Airways Faces Backlash Over Passenger Treatment in Johannesburg and Nairobi: A Pattern of Controversy?

    A recent incident at Tambo International Airport involving Kenya Airways (KQ) has sparked outrage and accusations of discrimination after airline staff denied boarding to a group of Israeli passengers.

    The incident, which occurred on February 5, 2025, has drawn comparisons to a similar controversy involving a Nigerian passenger in Nairobi just days earlier, raising questions about the airline’s handling of customer relations and adherence to international aviation standards.

    The Johannesburg Incident: Allegations of Discrimination

    In a viral video circulating on social media, a Kenya Airways staff member is seen refusing entry to four Israeli passengers, including a rabbi, who were attempting to board a flight. The rabbi, visibly distressed, questioned whether the denial was based on his appearance and religious identity, suggesting it was an act of antisemitism. The staff member repeatedly stated, “You can’t board,” without providing further clarification.

    Kenya Airways swiftly responded to the allegations, denying any form of discrimination. In an official statement, the airline claimed that the passengers were denied boarding due to disruptive behavior and apparent intoxication, which posed a safety risk. The statement emphasized that the decision was in line with international aviation regulations and the airline’s safety protocols. KQ also noted that the rest of the passengers in the group were allowed to travel, refuting claims of religious profiling.

    “At Kenya Airways, we celebrate diversity and are committed to a zero-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination,” the statement read. “Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our staff and guests.”

    However, the explanation has done little to quell public outrage, with many social media users accusing the airline of inconsistent and discriminatory practices.

    Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft as seen on final approach landing at London Heathrow International Airport LHR EGLL in England, UK. NurPhoto via AFP

    Echoes of the Nairobi Drama: Nigeria Summons KQ Officials

    The Johannesburg incident comes on the heels of a similar controversy in Nairobi involving Gloria Omisore, a Nigerian passenger with a British resident permit. Omisore was stranded in Nairobi after Kenya Airways failed to identify her lack of a Schengen visa, which was required for her transit through Paris. The airline’s error was only discovered upon her arrival in Nairobi, leading to a heated argument between Omisore and KQ staff.

    Kenya Airways initially released a misleading statement claiming that Omisore had refused a re-routed flight to London and had behaved disruptively. However, during a meeting with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), KQ officials admitted fault and apologized for the mishandling of the situation. They acknowledged that the airline should have identified the visa issue before allowing Omisore to board in Lagos.

    The NCAA also expressed disappointment over the behavior of KQ staff, particularly an incident where a staff member insulted the office of the Nigerian president. The airline’s country manager in Nigeria apologized for the outburst and assured that disciplinary action would be taken.

    A Pattern of Problems for Kenya Airways?

    These back-to-back incidents have cast a spotlight on Kenya Airways’ operational and customer service challenges. Critics argue that the airline’s handling of both situations reflects a broader issue of inadequate training and poor communication with passengers. The controversies have also raised concerns about potential biases in the airline’s treatment of passengers from different nationalities and religious backgrounds.

    In response to the growing scrutiny, Kenya Airways has pledged to conduct thorough investigations into both incidents and reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and passenger safety. However, the airline’s reputation has taken a significant hit, with calls for greater accountability and transparency in its operations.

    Regional Implications and Industry Standards

    The incidents in Johannesburg and Nairobi have broader implications for the aviation industry in Africa. They highlight the need for airlines to adhere strictly to international regulations while fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. The Nigerian authorities’ swift action in summoning KQ officials sets a precedent for holding airlines accountable for misconduct, particularly in cases involving passenger rights and dignity.

    As Kenya Airways works to address these controversies, the airline faces an uphill battle to restore public trust. For now, the drama serves as a stark reminder of the importance of professionalism and empathy in the aviation industry, where every passenger deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

  • Zambia Lifts Suspension Of KQ Flights

    Zambia Lifts Suspension Of KQ Flights

    Zambia has lifted the suspension of Kenya Airways flights after Nairobi granted landing rights to Lusaka’s national carrier Zambia Airways.

    Kenya Airways flights to Zambia, which had been suspended with effect from Tuesday October 8, 2024, will now be allowed after the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said it had resolved the matter with their counterparts in Lusaka.

    Zambia Civil Aviation Authority, in a letter dated October 2, 2024, had suspended Kenya Airways flights to Lusaka after Kenya Civil Aviation Authority declined to allow Zambia Airways flights into the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

    The Zambian Civil Aviation Authority claims that KCAA granted Zambia Airways (2014) Limited a Foreign Operators Permit to operate JKIA flights.

    While the KCAA initially granted Zambia Airways a Foreign Operators Permit, authorisation to operate flights into Nairobi using a wet-leased Boeing 737-700 was declined.

    However, in an interview with the Nation, the KCAA Director General Emile Arao, said the matter has since been resolved.

    “There is no suspension and you will see a statement from the Zambians. The matter has been resolved. Nothing (flights) has been stopped,” said Arao.

    Efforts by the Zambian government to resolve the issue diplomatically had also failed.

    “The Zambian CAA made an appeal to KCAA to reconsider their position and grant Zambia Airways (2014) Limited the required authorization to fly to Nairobi using the wet leased B737-700 aircraft. The KCAA has maintained the same position of not granting authorization to Zambia Airways (2014) Limited,” said Captain Derrick Luembe, Director General, Zambia Civil Aviation Authority.

    “Considering the lack of response and reciprocity on the matter of Zambia Airways (2014) Limited flights into Nairobi-Kenya, I regret to inform you that all Kenya Airways flights into Zambia are hereby suspended with effect from 8th October, 2024.”

    Captain Luembe claims that efforts to seek an audience with Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, KCAA Director General Emile Arao and a meeting though Kenya’s High Commissioner to Zambia did not bear fruit by end of Wednesday last week.

    “Further, our ministry of Transport and Logistics wrote another letter dated 26 July, 2024, to the Kenyan Minister of Transport to seek his intervention in this matter. To date, there has been no response from the Hon, Minister of Transport in Kenya,” said Luembe

    In an effort to make this matter, Luembe said that Zambia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics through Foreign Affairs on 12th September, 2024 held a meeting with the Kenya Acting High Commissioner to Zambia, to discuss the matter in detail.

    “Our ministry was requested to submit all relevant documentation related to this matter for the Acting High Commissioner to intervene. All relevant documents were submitted, and the acting High Commissioner promised that feedback would be given by the end of the following week. Unfortunately to date, there has been no response to this matter and it still remains unresolved,” said Captain Luembe.

    “On October , 2024, I reached out to KCAA to discuss this matter via email and WhatsApp and unfortunately there has been no response from KCAA.”

    There are eight direct flights between Nairobi and Lusaka every week.

  • KQ To Acquire 15 New Plans To Boost Revenue

    KQ To Acquire 15 New Plans To Boost Revenue

    Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced plans to boost fleet capacity from the current 42 to 55 aircraft in the next 5 years.

    KQ CEO and Group MD Allan Kilavuka said that the acquisition will boost efficiency, resulting in revenue growth.

    “We plan to increase the number of our aircraft to 55 fleets in the next 5 years from the current fleet that we have of 42 aircraft,” revealed Kilavuka.

    In April 2024, for example, the airline received its second freighter, a Boeing 737-800 Freighter, pushing up the total cargo fleet to four, offering customers and partners more cargo capacity on its global network, especially the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

    The cargo freighters are also seen as a away to capture opportunities emerging from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to catalyse trade within the continent and out of Africa.

    “We have made a commitment to gradually increase our cargo business and support our customers in their long-term needs and deliver possibilities in the air. The arrival of the new B738 Freighter, the second one this year, and the fourth in our cargo fleet, is a significant milestone in KQ Cargo’s fleet expansion plans,” stated Kilavuka.

    KQ also hinted plans to grow destinations from the current 48 to over 60 in the next 5 years.

    This comes after KQ recently bounced back to profitability after posting a net profit of Sh513 million in the first half of 2024.

  • Suspected Gold Smuggling And USD8M Cash For Rebels Behind Kenya Airways Employees Detention In DRC

    Suspected Gold Smuggling And USD8M Cash For Rebels Behind Kenya Airways Employees Detention In DRC

    A multiagency team consisting of detectives from the DCI Transnational Organised Crime and Interpol have taken up the case in which two Kenya Airways (KQ) employees have been detained since February 19 2024 by the Congolese Military Intelligence Unit Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP).

    In a situation that is now fueling tensions between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who already have a strained relationship, Kenya Insights has learned of unspecified amount of gold that is suspected to have been smuggled from the mineral rich country and cash going to reveal a lightly kept secret in the fiasco.

    The airline’s employees were detained for allegedly failing to complete customs documentation for the valuable cargo. Despite a military court’s order for their release, they remain in custody, complicating the situation further.

    While making the initial announcement explained that the said cargo was not uplifted or accepted by KQ due to incomplete documentation asserting that duo was illegally detained.

    “This cargo was still in the baggage section undergoing clearance when the security team arrived and alleged that KQ was transporting cargo without customs clearance,” he said, adding that all efforts to explain to the military officers that KQ had not accepted the cargo because of incomplete documentation were unsuccessful.

    Cash

    Kenya Insights now has information that the detainees, a Kenyan Lydia Olando Maloba and her Congolese colleague Olivier Lufungula were apprehended for their involvement in an incident concerning the attempted export of $8 million (Sh1billion) in banknotes, purportedly unfit for circulation.

    The funds were destined for the reserve federal office in New York but were intercepted by Congolese security forces at N’djili International Airport, reportedly concealed in crates.

    The military intelligence is reportedly suspecting that the cash was destined for funding rebels in the country.

    Gold smuggling ring

    Kenya Insights has also learned of an active investigation by the DCI and Interpol into a gold smuggling syndicate that allegedly involved the detained employees.

    Behind the scenes, detectives familiar with the happenings in Kinshasa says that military intelligence in Kinshasa has also questioned the two staff over the shipment of three tonnes of gold at different times which was earlier moved to Kenya and then to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sources say that happened sometime in November 2023 without proper documentation.

    The consignment is said to have gone missing at JKIA customs with the help of an elaborate team of agents and top staff of a respected humanitarian agency, aviation operatives have been linked to the disappearance of the cargo.

    Consequently, security agents consisting of intelligence officers and Interpol have been dispatched to the UAE to unearth the smuggled goods whose proceeds are suspected to be used to fund rebel groups (namely M23 and/or the Alliance Fleuve Congo Group) in DRC. The sources claimed that unscrupulous buyers were behind the disappearance of the cargo and at one time visited Kenya. The said cartels are operating majorly in the UAE and are well-connected.

    Reports also indicate that Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Kenyan delegation dispatched to DRC will be negotiating for the release of the detained KQ staff while Kenyan investigators will help probe the missing cargo that originated from Nairobi.

    Korir Sing’oei, the principal secretary at Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry, emphasized Kenya’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and stated that the government was actively engaging with the situation.

    Suspension of flights to Kinshasa

    In a move reflecting deepening diplomatic tensions, Kenya Airways on Monday announced the suspension of its flights to Kinshasa, effective April 30, 2024.

    The decision follows unresolved issues related to the detention of two airline employees. The airline said it had resorted to suspending flights to Kinshasa as its operations were suffering due to lack of adequate support.

    Kenya Airways, in its statement, cited the ongoing detention and the broader geopolitical tensions as key factors in its decision to suspend flights. “The safety and well-being of our employees are paramount, and the current diplomatic environment has made it challenging to operate effectively in Kinshasa,” said a spokesperson for Kenya Airways.

    This development coincides with escalating regional tensions, notably due to the formation of a controversial Congolese military alliance in Nairobi, which includes the M23 rebel group.

    Diplomatic tensions

    The crisis unfolds against a backdrop of increased friction between Kenya and the DRC, following recent political maneuvers. Congolese politicians and groups, including the M23 rebels, launched the Congo River Alliance in Nairobi. The alliance aims to unify various Congolese armed groups and political organizations. The inclusion of the M23 rebels, who are active in the eastern DRC and have been implicated in territorial conflicts, has particularly strained relations.

    This move prompted the DRC to recall its ambassador from Kenya, underscoring the severity of the diplomatic rift. The DRC’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Alain Tshibanda, announced the recall on the X social media platform, highlighting the contentious nature of the newly formed military alliance hosted by Kenya.

    As the situation develops, regional stakeholders are keenly observing the impact on diplomatic and economic relations within the East African Community. Kenya Airways has committed to closely monitoring the situation and resuming flights when conditions permit.

    Meanwhile, at least 12 people, including children, have been killed in twin bomb blasts that hit two camps for displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to government officials, the United Nations and an aid group.

    Friday’s explosions targeted the camps in Lac Vert and Mugunga, near the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, the UN said in a statement.

    The attacks, in which at least 20 people were injured, were a “flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime”, it said.

    The Congolese military and the United States accused the military in neighbouring Rwanda and the M23 rebel group of being behind the attacks.

    French President Emmanuel Macron said Rwanda must halt its support for M23, during a joint news conference with Tshisekedi in Paris this week.

    About six million people have been killed since violence erupted in 1996. It has also displaced about seven million people, many beyond the reach of aid.

    Additional reports by Agencies.

     

  • Kenya Airways Online Flights Booking Disrupted

    Kenya Airways Online Flights Booking Disrupted

    Kenya Airways has announced the disruption of online flights booking citing a technical glitch.

    “We regret to inform you that the “book flight” option on our website is currently unavailable due to technical issues. We would like to assure you that we are working diligently to resolve this as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to restore full functionality to our website.” the aviation company announce on Tuesday.

    It has future instructed customers to use other means to access the services, “

    In the meantime, to assist you with your booking needs, we recommend using our mobile app, which remains fully operational. Alternatively, you may contact our customer service team directly for assistance with your booking.”

    This is a developing story..

  • Kenya Airways Record First Profit In 7 Years

    Kenya Airways Record First Profit In 7 Years

    Kenya Airways swung to an operating profit of 10.53 billion shillings ($80.38 million) last year, it said on Tuesday.

    One of Africa’s three biggest carriers, Kenya Airways slid into insolvency in 2018 after an expansion drive left it with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.

    Last year’s operating profit was the airline’s first since 2017, it said, buoyed by a 53% increase in revenue to 178.5 billion shillings.

    “It is an indication that we are well on our path to recovery,” CEO Allan Kilavuka told an investor briefing.

    The revenue growth was underpinned by a 35% increase in passenger numbers, he said, adding that it will increase flights on popular routes such as Nairobi to London and secure new planes to take advantage of that momentum in demand.

    The airline expects to receive an additional cargo freighter soon and it will receive another Boeing 737-800 passenger jet by the third quarter of this year to boost capacity, Kilavuka said.

    Revenue from the airline’s cargo business was down for the year, in line with the global trend, he said.

    Kenya Airways posted a pretax loss, however, as a steep weakening of the Kenyan shilling led to loan revaluation losses.

    The shilling has started to strengthen against the dollar, meaning the outlook for this year is more positive, Kilavuka said.

    “The FX situation is improving … We do expect this will work in our favour this year,” he said, adding that it would help the company to attain bottom line profitability.

    ($1 = 131.0000 Kenyan shillings)

  • Tanzania Lifts Ban On KQ Flights

    Tanzania Lifts Ban On KQ Flights

    Tanzania has rescinded its decision to suspend all passenger flights operated by Kenya Airways (KQ) between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

    The reversal comes after Kenya granted the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right to Air Tanzania Company Limited specifically for all-cargo service.

    Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Director General Hamza Johari announced the resumption of all cargo services, effective 16th January, 2024.

    “Following the development the auronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania hereby withdraw its decison of 15 January 2024 and therefore approval of Kenya Airways to operate Third and Fourth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam is hereby restored with immediate effect,” he said.

    On Monday, Tanzania suspended all Kenya Airways passenger flights after Kenya rejected Tanzania’s request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited under the Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and third countries.

    “This is to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorities of Kenya to refuse the Tanzanian request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited under Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Third countries, contrary to Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services between Tanzania and Kenya signed on 24th November 2016 in Nairobi.” Noted Johari.

    The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) identifies the following freedoms for airlines:

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    ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state or states to fly across its territory without landing (also known as a First Freedom Right).

    ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state or states to land in its territory for non-traffic purposes (also known as a Second Freedom Right).

    ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state to put down, in the territory of the first state, traffic coming from the home state of the carrier (also known as a Third Freedom Right).

    ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state to take on, in the territory of the first state, traffic destined for the home state of the carrier (also known as a Fourth Freedom Right).

    ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state to put down and to take on, in the territory of the first state, traffic coming from or destined to a third state (also known as a Fifth Freedom Right).

  • Data Breach: Kenya Airways Hacked, Sensitive And Confidential Files Leaked

    Data Breach: Kenya Airways Hacked, Sensitive And Confidential Files Leaked

    Kenya Airways appears to have been hit by a cyberattack by Ransomexx ransomware group on December 30, 2023 leading to a massive data leak including highly sensitive and confidential data that they uploaded on the dark internet.

    The airline, which plays a crucial role in connecting African nations to the rest of the globe, now suffers the aftermath of a targeted cyberattack that has exposed sensitive information, posing significant challenges to its operations and reputation.

    The data leak allegedly started when Kenya Airways fell victim to a sophisticated cybercriminal attack by the Ransomexx group. These hackers are notorious for targeting various organisations worldwide.

    Documents leaked cover aircraft accidents, investigation reports into employee misconduct like fraud, theft, policy violations.

    A huge volume of internal Kenya Airways data compromised including; insurance policies, confidential agreements, passwords, customer complaints, alleged sexual harassment incidents. The exposed files also contain files relating to accidents, as such documents were named ‘Accident docs’, ‘Accident investigations’, ‘Accidents’, ‘Air Accident Investigations’, and ‘Investigation Reports.’

    The leak also contains details of politically exposed people. This has dealt a blow to Kenya Airways for failing to secure the safety of customers data and exposing the airline to cybercriminals. This breach also could enable theft and fraud from the employees and customers leaked data.

    Last year in April, retail chain Naivas was hit with a similar cybersecurity breach that resulted in the exposure of crucial customer data. According to the government, the criminal group was able to transfer 611 GB of personal data.

    Naivas attackers obtained information from their customer loyalty program. The data illegally transferred had names, phone numbers, and email addresses.

    According to set laws, a cyber-attack of this kind must be reported within 72 hours of discovery. However, Naivas failed to follow the set law and did not report. As a result, Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait said the local supermarket chain was be fined up to KES 5 Million.

    It also remains unclear whether Kenya Airways has also informed the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner Kenya of the incident.

    What Are Ransomware Attacks?

    Ransomware is a type of malware designed to deny an individual or an organization access to their files. Attackers gain access to the files on a computer or shared server and encrypt them, denying a user or organization access to their data. They then demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key, with the payment often made through cryptocurrency. In some cases, such as the Naivas and KQ ransomware attacks, they include an element of  data theft – providing greater incentive for victims to pay the ransom. In a previous Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) attack, the attackers demanded Ksh67.6 million while threatening to release the data, but KAA termed the data breach insignificant while failing to pay up.

    Ransomware today is one of most prominent types of malware. Across the world, attackers are targeting organizations including dating apps, ecommerce platforms, hospitals, insurers and medical companies and holding sensitive data hostage.

    Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data indicates that cybersecurity advisories issued to companies increased by 3,693 percent from 81,727 in 2020 to 3.1 million advisories in 2021. The adoption of improved detection technology played a part.

    Total cyber threats rose by 142 percent from 139.1 million to 339.1 million over the same period. Of the cyber threats reported, system vulnerabilities rose from from 114,675 in 2020 to 58 million in 2021. Reported Botnet/DDOs threats also increased from 4.1 million in 2020 to 92.1 million in 2021.

    The consistent increase in attacks has been attributed to the growing number of cyber threat actors such as hacktivists, state-sponsored groups, organized cybercriminals, and cyber terrorists.