By Peter Ochieng
The Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced a resumption to its Kinshasa flights.
KQ suspended its flights to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) capital on 29th May, 2024, after two employees were arrested and detained by the DRC military intelligence unit.
The two are Lydia Mbotela, a Kenyan and her DRC colleague. They have since been released unconditionally.
KQ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka in a statement thanked all those who worked round the clock to ensure the release of their collegues.
“Kenya Airways confirms that the military authorities have unconditionally released our two employees who had been detained since 19 April 2024,” he said.
“We wish to thank all those who worked tirelessly for the release of our innocent colleagues. Special thanks to KQ colleagues who have been on the ground in Kinshasa and those in Nairobi who have worked to secure their release.”
He thanked Prime Cabinet Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi for playing a major role towards the release of the KQ employees.
He maintained that their employees are innocent, and that they were only arrested for their strictness in adhering to the laid down procedures.
With the necessary ground support in place, the CEO announced the resumption of flights to Kinshasa.
“We are pleased to announce that Kenya Airways will resume flights to Kinshasa on 8th May, 2024. We look foward to serving our valued customers once again,” he noted.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei was among the very first people to share the good news of the release of the KQ employees on social media.
“Deeply grateful to inform you that Lydia Mbotela, KQ Manager in DRC, has just been released by the authorities in Kinshasa,” the PS wrote on social media platform X on Monday night.
“I commend the team at our Mission: our Military Attaché, the FRO and the Charge d’affaires, for this incredible work of negotiating our compatriot’s release.”