PS Sing’Oei » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 26 – Kenya is “engaging actively” with Kinshasa following the detention of two Kenya Airways staff by Congolese Military Intelligence Unit over missing customs documentation on “valuable” cargo.
The airline’s Group Managing Director Allan Kilavuka reveled earlier that the Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP), confiscated the phones of its staff and denied access to them over the alleged cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight on April 12.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’Oei, said Friday that negotiations with Congolese authorities are underway to resolve the matter.
“Kenya takes great exception to the arrest and detention of its nationals lawfully carrying out commercial activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo by authorities in the DRC,” he said.
“Our Mission in Kinshasa is engaging actively in the matter.”
The Foreign Affairs PS indicated that updates on developments touching on the issue will be provided to the public.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Kenyan citizens working abroad.
While protesting the detention of its staff, KQ clarified that the contested cargo had not been uplifted or accepted due to incomplete documentation, maintaining that the detention was unjust.
“This cargo was still in the baggage section undergoing clearance when the security team arrived and alleged that KQ was transporting cargo without customs clearance,” Kilavuka said, adding that all efforts to explain to the military officers that KQ had not accepted the cargo because of incomplete documentation were unsuccessful.
Further, Kilavuka said that the military officers took the two employees to the military side of the air wing (DEMIAP) to record statements despite efforts to explain the situation.
They were held incommunicado until April 23, when a team from the Kenyan Embassy and KQ were allowed to visit them, “albeit for a few minutes.”
The National carrier maintained that it strictly adheres to international best practices in handling and transporting any cargo
“We have stringent processes and compliance checks known as ‘Ready for carriage’ to ensure any cargo ferried on our flights meets all the statutory requirements across our destinations,” KQ said.
The airline maintained that checks ensure that all cargo meets statutory requirements across destinations, with documentation approval, security and safety checks, and customs endorsement being mandatory before acceptance.
Kenya Airways expressed concern over the detention of its employees, labeling it as harassment targeting the airline’s business.
The company pledged full cooperation with investigating agencies and relevant government entities in both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya to ensure a swift resolution to the matter.
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