Kenya Airways issues a statement after its employees are detained in Kinshasa.

Kenya Airways, the national carrier of Kenya, has expressed its protest against the arrest and detention of two of its staff members in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The airline has reported that the two employees were arrested over missing customs documents of a cargo that was supposed to be transported by the airline. 

However, Kenya Airways has clarified that the cargo was not uplifted or accepted by them due to incomplete documentation. 

During the arrest, the employees’ phones were confiscated, and they were denied contact with anyone. 

The Military Intelligence Unit carried out the arrests.

“Kenya Airways (KQ) confirms that on Friday, April 19th, 2024, two of our employees at our airport office in Kinshasa were arrested and continue to be detained by the Military Intelligence Unit known as Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP),” KQ said in a statement on Friday.

According to the airline, even though Kenyan Embassy officials and a few members of staff were permitted to visit the detained individuals, the visit was brief.

Although a Military court heard the case and ordered their immediate release on Thursday, they remain in custody.

“Despite the court orders, the military intelligence unit is still holding them incommunicado, yet these are civilians being held in a military intelligence facility.” the airline said.

CEO Allan Kilavuka in the statement said the cargo was still in the baggage section undergoing clearance when the security team arrived and took the two employees for questioning.

He noted that they alleged that the airline was transporting cargo without customs clearance and efforts to explain that they had not accepted the cargo proved futile.

“The cargo was not on the air side for transportation and, therefore, not in the possession of KQ as the logistic handler was still completing documentation before handing it over to KQ,” Kilavuka said.

Kenya Airways has stated that it strictly adheres to international best practices when it comes to handling and transporting cargo, at all times. 

The airline further added that it has implemented stringent processes and compliance checks, known as ‘Ready for carriage’, to ensure that any cargo ferried on their flights meets all statutory requirements across all destinations.

“All our logistics partners must comply with these measures before KQ accepts any cargo.”

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