Kenya Airways (KQ) has confirmed the release of its employees who were detained by the Military Intelligence Unit in Kinshasa.
In a press statement dated Monday, May 6, the airline also announced the resumption of flights to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the release of its detained staff members.
Flights to Kinshasa resume starting from May 8, 2024.
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The two employees had been held since April 19, 2024, and their unconditional release was officially confirmed.
Kenya Airways expressed gratitude to all individuals and entities involved in securing the release of their colleagues.
"Kenya Airways confirms that military authorities in Kinshasa have unconditionally released our two employees who had been detained since 19 April 2024. We wish to thank all those who worked tirelessly for the release of our innocent colleagues," KQ stated.
Adding;
"Special thanks to KQ colleagues who have been on the ground in Kinshasa and those in Nairobi working to secure their release. We would also like to thank the Government of Kenya, led by the Prime Cabinet Secretary, His Excellency Musalia Mudavadi, and the Kenyan embassy in Kinshasa. We want to reiterate that our employees are innocent and were only carrying out their duties in strict adherence to the laid-out procedures. We stand by their innocence and will continue to support them."
The airline expressed eagerness to serve its valued customers once again, assuring them of a continued commitment to excellence in service.
"With the necessary ground support in place, we are pleased to announce that Kenya Airways will resume flights to Kinshasa on 8 May 2024. We look forward to serving our valued customers once again."
Kenya Airways also pledged ongoing cooperation with investigating agencies and relevant government entities in both the DRC and Kenya as they continue to navigate through the aftermath of this incident.
"We will continue cooperating with the investigating agencies and the relevant Government entities in both DRC and Kenya," KQ stated.
POSITION STATEMENT: Kenya Airways confirms the release of detained employees & flight resumption to Kinshasa pic.twitter.com/V5y93dEZ6s— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) May 6, 2024
2 KQ employees detained
Kenya Airways (KQ) had suspended flights to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from April 30.
In a statement on Monday, April 29, KQ said the decision came due to the detention of its employees.
Kenya Airways expressed its inability to continue operations without the necessary personnel in place.
KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka stated that the two employees were detained due to missing customs documentation for valuable cargo supposed to be transported on an April 12 flight.
"The reason for their arrest was alleged to be missing custom documentation on valuable cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight on April 12th, 2024. However, we wish to state that the said cargo was not uplifted or accepted by KQ due to incomplete documentation," Kilavuka said.
However, the cargo was never accepted by Kenya Airways due to incomplete paperwork.
Despite a court order for their release, the military continues to hold them incommunicado, confiscating their phones and denying access.
"Despite the court orders, the military intelligence unit is still holding them incommunicado, yet these are civilians being held in a military intelligence facility," he added.
The embassy and a few Kenya Airways staff were permitted a brief visit on April 23.
Kilavuka clarified that the cargo was still undergoing clearance when the security team arrived, and efforts to explain this to the military officers were unsuccessful.
The employees were taken to the military side of the air wing for questioning and have been held since then.
