Senator Samson Cherarkey seeks clarification on altercation at JKIA

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Sen. Samson Cherarkey has called for a Statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism regarding a heated verbal exchange and altercation between an employee of Kenya Airways (KQ) and a Nigerian passenger at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on February 3, 2025. 

The Senator has urged the Committee to provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances that led to the incident. He also called for an update on investigations into the matter, including measures taken by the government and KQ to ensure the airline is not subjected to blacklisting or fines as a result of the altercation. 

Sen. Cherarkey further highlighted concerns raised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) about alleged mistreatment of Nigerian passengers by Kenya Airways staff. He emphasized that such allegations could escalate into a diplomatic row between Kenya and Nigeria, potentially affecting bilateral relations. 

Additionally, the Senator sought clarification on steps taken by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and KQ to ensure that airline staff at JKIA and other airports maintain a safe and dignified environment for passengers. He also inquired about the measures being implemented to mitigate any negative impact the incident might have on KQ’s strategic recovery plan, "Project Kifaru." 

Sen. Cherarkey underscored the need for accountability and professionalism in Kenya’s aviation sector, urging the Committee to take swift action to prevent similar occurrences in the future.