Striking Kenya Airways (KQ) pilots have been ordered to report to work by the Employment and Labor Relations Court.
In a ruling by Lady Justice Anna Mwaure on Tuesday, November 8, the pilots were ordered to resume their duties on Wednesday morning, November 9.
Justice Mwaure further ruled that KQ should not dispense any disciplinary action on the pilots once they report to work, as the matter is still in court.
The court order comes after KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka on Monday said that it was too late to have talks between the airline and the pilots.
Kilavuka said that the pilots risked being replaced by the national carrier if they did not report back to duty.
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"We want them to go back to work before we can talk to the pilots. It’s too late for talks. They either come to work or we replace them," Kilavuka said.
He, however, said that 20 pilots had returned to work by Monday, November 8, and added that KQ had already initiated disciplinary action against the striking pilots.
"For pilots who haven't reported to duty, we have initiated a disciplinary process, and at the same time, we have advertised for the recruitment of pilots," Kilavuka added.
The strike by KQ pilots is a big blow to the national carrier which has been recording losses previously, and on Friday it stated that the strike could see it lose at least $2.5 million (Sh300 million) every day.
