Kenya Airways has confirmed the arrest of its employees at the Airport office in Kinshasa by the Military Intelligence Unit known as Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP).
In a detailed statement, Kenya Airways revealed that the two employees were apprehended on Friday, April 19.
During their arrest, the national airline explained that their phones were seized, and all access was denied.
"On April 23rd 2024, the Kenyan embassy officials and a few KO staff were allowed to visit them but only for a few minutes," Kenya Airways noted.
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"The reason for their arrest was alleged to be missing custom documentation on valuable cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight on April 12th, 2024. However, the said cargo was not uplifted or accepted by KQ due to incomplete documentation," KQ further explained.
However, Kenya Airways pointed out the Military Court ordered the military Intelligence Unit to release the duo but the soldiers have ignored the court directive.
"Despite the court orders, the military intelligence unit is still holding them incommunicado, yet these are civilians being held in a military intelligence facility," KQ remarked.
KQ Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka explained 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.
All efforts to explain to the military officers that KQ had not accepted the cargo because of incomplete documentation proved futile, Kivaluka divulged.
"The military officers took the two employees to the military side of the air wing (DEMIAP) to record statements. They were held incommunicado until April 23rd 2024, when a team from the Kenyan Embassy and KQ were allowed to visit them albeit for a few minutes," the CEO added.
Kilavuka called on both the Kenyan and DRC government to work and resolve the standoff which he described as harassment of Kenya Airways employees.
"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."
