Kenya Airways (KQ) has released a statement explaining the suspension of Gire Ali, the staff member who took a video of China Southern Airlines which was supposed to have stopped flights to Kenya, landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“On 26th February 2020, KQ received a letter from the KAA stating that there had been a breach of airside security procedures at JKIA involving one of our employees. In accordance with standard HR procedure, the employee was suspended to allow a full investigation to take place to determine the facts of the matter”, the statement read in part.
The whistleblower Ali has so far expressed fears over his life for the exposé.
Below is the full statement
Statement on Security Breach at JKIA on February 26, 2020
We fully understand and appreciate the public interest generated by the suspension of one of our employees following the filming and circulation on social media of the arrival of China Southern Flight No.6044 on February 26, 2020 at 0725 hours.
Indeed, the nature of the coronavirus is such that the public has a legitimate interest in receiving relevant information to enable each one of us and our beloved nation to take the necessary steps in protecting ourselves and loved ones against the spread of the virus.
As an operator at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), we are expected to adhere to Airport Security procedures and regulations set by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) as the Airport regulator and which are prescribed by law.
Why China Southern Airlines Might Be Lying About Suspending Flights To Nairobi
On 26th February 2020, KQ received a letter from the KAA stating that there had been a breach of airside security procedures at JKIA involving one of our employees. In accordance with standard HR procedure, the employee was suspended to allow a full investigation to take place to determine the facts of the matter.
This process will be conducted expeditiously in a fair and transparent manner, and in the meantime, the employee remains on full pay and retains all the legal rights. We take this opportunity once again to thank the public for their interest in this matter. Corporate Communications Kenya Airways PLC
Kenyan Business Feed is the top Kenyan Business Blog. We share news from Kenya and across the region. To contact us with any alert, please email us to [email protected]