President William Ruto’s government has been accused of frustrating Kenya Airways. In an interview, former Kenya Airways Board Chairman Michael Joseph said the government is not appreciating the value of the national carrier.
He said Kenya Airways made a financial turnaround, but it still does not generate enough money to expand the network, expand the airline and grow the airline.
Joseph expressed his disappointment with the government and leaders for overlooking the importance of Kenya Airways to the country.
“I think what my disappointment is, and I say this to you knowing that it might not be received well, but people still don’t appreciate what Kenya Airways brings to the country,” he said.
“Not just people, let me say the people that should, the people that count, the government, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the tourism industry, they don’t see the importance of Kenya Airways to this country.”
He criticised the government and even the media for treating the National Carrier as a business.
Joseph stated that Kenya Airways is the country’s strategic asset, and losing it will be a huge setback to Kenya.
“I always say that Kenya Airways is not just a business, it’s a strategic asset for the country, but we don’t get the support that we need to get to make sure that it can remain a strategic asset,” he said.
“If we lose this airline, it’ll be a tremendous blow to Kenya. It’s not to the shareholders, yes, it’ll be a blow, but to Kenya.”
Govt Official Not Using Kenya Airways
Joseph said government officials often disregard the Fly Kenya Act, which compels them to use Kenya Airways while travelling abroad.
He accused such officials of giving excuses to use other planes instead of Kenya Airways as required.
He gave an example of America, where the government officials cannot fly a non-American plane.
“You look at the Fly Kenya Act. This is a rule that government people should fly Kenya Airways. They find every trick in the book not to fly Kenya Airways. Oh, we’re not flying that route; the timing is wrong. Let’s fly Emirates, let’s fly ET, whatever it may be,” he said.
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Govt Support Finding Investor
Additionally, Joseph said the Airline needs the support of the government to get an investor.
He, however, mentioned that the government often make them wait for even up to a year to get such support.
Joseph asked for more support from the government, adding that nationalisation is not the best option.
“I’m frustrated because even in trying to find a strategic investor for the airline, we need the government to come positively and support us. But what, we wait a year, more than a year now, for that support. I don’t think that’s right. I don’t think nationalisation is the right way to go,” he said.
Also Read: Kenya Airways Announces Discounts for International and Domestic Flights
Nairobi Becoming Africa’s Business Capital
According to Joseph, Nairobi should be the business capital of Africa because Kenya is in the middle of the Continent.
He said Kenya has all the requirements to control business activities in Africa, but Rwanda is likely to take that opportunity.
Joseph stated that Kenya had already lost a similar chance to Dubai in the past, and it will happen again if the government fails to support Kenya Airways.
“Kenya should be the business capital of Africa. We have the best climate, we have the best schools, we have the best people with well-trained entrepreneurial people, but we are in danger of losing it to Kigali,” Joseph said.
“We already lost it to Dubai to some extent, and if we lose our airline, we lose this, making this the business capital for Africa.”
Media Negative Reporting
He also slammed the media for treating Kenya Airways like a business.
Joseph admitted that the national carrier might be making losses and experiencing other challenges, but it still serves a critical role in Kenya.
He accused the media of reporting negatively about Kenya Airways and asked journalists to be more supportive.
“I don’t think you guys, the media, even understand that, because you talk about us like a business. The media is still not positive about it. You’re better, I must say, even remarked on it just now, you’re better now than what you used to be, but I think the powers that be, and I say this now, should be much more supportive of an airline,” he said.
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