By Lauryne Akoth
Kenya Airways (KQ) has confirmed the arrest of two of its employees in Kinshasa.
A statement issued by the company’s Managing Director Allan Kilavuka confirmed the arrest and detention of the employees on Friday, 19th April 2024 at KQ’s Airport office in Kinshasa.
According to KQ, the employees were detained by the Military Intelligence Unit known as Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP).
“During their arrest, their phones were seized, and all access to them has been denied. On April 23rd, 2024, the Kenyan embassy officials and a few KQ staff were allowed to visit them but only for a few minutes,” stated the company’s managing director.
The two employees were allegedly arrested due to missing custom documentation on valuable cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight on April 12th, 2024. However, KQ asserts that the said cargo was not uplifted or accepted by them due to incomplete documentation.
According to Kilavuka, KQ filed an application in the military court for the two to be released unconditionally on 24th April 2024.
“The court heard the matter on April 25th, 2024, and granted KQ’s request that the two staff members be released to allow due process. 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 company’s CEO maintains that 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.
He also argues that the cargo in question was still in the baggage section undergoing clearance when the security team arrived and alleged that KQ was transporting cargo without customs clearance.
He emphasized that despite all efforts to explain to the military officers that KQ had not accepted the cargo because of incomplete documentation, the two employees were still arrested.
“The military officers took the two employees to the military side of the air wing (DEMIAP)to record statements. They were held incommunicado until 23RD April, when the Embassy officials and KQ team were allowed to visit them,” confirmed KQ.
Kenya Airways has remained firm on its stance that it adheres to all statutory requirements for any cargo ferried by its flights. furthermore, KQ has emphasized that the fault lies with the logistics partner in Kinshasa and not its employees.
” All cargo must pass the ‘Ready for Carriage’ compliance checks before KQ accepts it, and this is the responsibility of the shipper or logistics partner, not KQ. We are perturbed by this action targeting innocent staff and consider it harassment targeting Kenya Airways’ business. KQ continues to cooperate with the investigating agencies and is working with the relevant Government entities in both DRC and Kenya to ensure this matter is resolved.” Read KQ’s official statement.