Kenya Airways staff detained by DR Congo military intelligence freed

Two staff members of Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ), who were detained in the DR Congo in late April have been released, KQ Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka, said in a statement, also announcing that flights to the country which were suspended would resume.

Kenya Airways earlier confirmed that, on April 19, two of its employees at its airport office in Kinshasa were arrested and continued to be detained by the Military Intelligence Unit known as Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP). In a statement confirming the arrest, KQ Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka on April 26 said the two staffers were apprehended by the Military Intelligence Unit in Kinshasa over « missing custom documentation on valuable cargo. » Later, the airline announced that it was unable to support its flights without personnel effectively and, as a result, « we reached a difficult decision to suspend flights to Kinshasa effective April 30.”

« We wish to thank all those who worked tirelessly for the release of our innocent colleagues. Special thanks to KQ colleagues who have been on the ground in Kinshasa and those in Nairobi working to secure their release,” read the KQ statement announcing the employees’ release.

« We want to reiterate that our employees are innocent and were only carrying out their duties in strict adherence to the laid-out procedures. We stand by their innocence and will continue to support them.”

DR Congo’s military intelligence detained two of the airline’s staff on April 19, allegedly because of missing customs documentation on some valuable cargo. The airline noted that the cargo in question was not uplifted or accepted by them due to incomplete documentation. During the staff members’ arrest, their phones were confiscated and they were denied contact with anyone.

In the statement announcing their release, Kilavuka also said that the airline will continue cooperating with the investigating agencies and relevant government entities in DR Congo and Kenya.

According to reports, one of the earlier detained KQ staff members was Kenyan, and the other Congolese.