Kenya Airways is a gem; our national pride and heritage that continues to fly our national flag high with each departing flight. It enhances the brand image of our country and therefore must not be left for a few self-centred individuals to devour.
Bailing Kenya Airways out by injecting money without requiring some fundamental restructuring is akin to washing a pig. The government machinery must move in to investigate alleged corruption in the national carrier. I hope that the investigative and prosecutorial bodies that are enshrined in our constitution will do the necessary.
Those who have run down Kenya Airways must be held responsible. There must be a willingness to seal the loopholes that are draining the national carrier and threatening the livelihood of many.
Though companies that collapse often look like a result of a single catastrophic event to the ordinary eye, in reality, they occur because of the accumulation of many small problems. The typical accident involves several consecutive human errors that must be solved.
This issue affects many and is very sensitive. I would like to urge the public to refrain from making remarks that could be construed as defamatory or false. The media should play its role as the Fourth Estate by carrying out investigations, and reporting with accuracy so that the Kenyan people are not misled. Let us give opinions based on facts.
Finally, while many of you seem to think that I have been a member of the Board or Management of Kenya Airways, I wish to make it clear that I am and have only been a shareholder just like the many shareholders out there who have bought shares via the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
As a shareholder, I experience an even bigger loss than one who has not invested a dime to revive or support the airline.
Let us not engage in character assassination of people who are not responsible. Instead, let us come together and continue building pressure on the current leadership and government to take action. Public pressure directed in the right direction can change the fortunes of the organisation.
In the meantime, let us continue to pray for Kenya Airways.”
