Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has disclosed that they had requested pilots to call off the strike as they addressed their concerns.
In the statement issued Saturday, November 5, Murkomen mentioned that they had engaged the management of Kenya Airways and the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) in a 5-hour discussion to avert the current strike.
"KALPA officials asked for a two-hour time off to consult on the matter. Unfortunately, they did not heed the calls to suspend the strike which has led to massive disruptions in Kenya Airways operations," part of the statement read.
The Transport CS noted that over 10,000 passengers had been stranded and Kenya Airways was working to reroute some of the connecting passengers as they seek a lasting solution.
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"The action taken by the pilots, considering the economic challenges and the biting drought, is akin to economic sabotage. This morning, I visited the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and was saddened to learn that so far, over 15 flights have been cancelled and 10,000 passengers stranded.
"It is estimated that the airline will lose Ksh300 million daily as a result of the strike which is counterproductive if you consider the demands made by the pilots," Murkomen said.
