Two Kenya Airways employees, one Kenyan and one Congolese, have been released from detention in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the airline and Kenyan officials confirmed on Monday, May 6th.
The staff members were detained by Congolese military intelligence on April 19th over alleged missing customs documents for valuable cargo. Kenya Airways, however, maintained they had not taken possession of the cargo due to incomplete paperwork from the shipper.
Following the detention and a court order for their release that was ignored, Kenya Airways suspended flights to the DRC, citing difficulty in supporting operations under the circumstances.
“Deeply grateful to inform that Lydia Mbotela, KQ Manager in DRC, has just been released by the authorities in Kinshasa,” announced Korir Sing’oei, Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry principal secretary, on social media platform X.
Kenya Airways confirmed the release of both Mbotela and her Congolese colleague.
“Kenya Airways confirms that military authorities in Kinshasa have unconditionally released our two employees…” said Allan Kilavuka, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways.
Congolese officials have yet to comment on the matter. Kenya Airways previously stated cooperation with authorities in both countries to resolve the situation.
With the release of the staff, Kenya Airways is set to resume flights to Kinshasa starting May 8th.
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