Disband Kenya Airways management, pilots demand

A lobby group wants the top management of Kenya Airways disbanded within seven days, citing lack of confidence in its ability to oversee the troubled carrier’s recovery from a massive financial loss.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), in a statement signed by secretary general Captain Paul Gichinga also warned that it will “explore other options to demand for immediate change should the carrier’s directors fail to cede leadership”.

“KALPA has over the years questioned the airline’s business strategy and deteriorating employee relations. Following KQ’s dismal performance in the financial year ended March 2015, and ongoing attempts at a turnaround, it is our position that Kenya Airways recovery cannot be left in the hands of those who oversaw its downward spiral,” read the statement.

Specifically, the group has called for the resignation of the chief executive officer and all directors who they accuse of mismanaging the company’s operations, fleet acquisition and network expansion.

KQ posted a Sh25.7 billion net loss for the year ended March 2015 which its management attributed to cancellation of flights to West Africa due to the outbreak of Ebola virus and stiff competition from the United Arab Emirates airlines.

But a report from a select committee of the Senate probing affairs at the troubled carrier pointed at weak internal control systems that allowed gave room to employees to engage in fraudulent activities, poor leadership and questionable business strategies.

The pilots’ demands come just a day after KQ’s board announced changes in the company’s management with the appointment of Dick Murianki, the current general manager for KQ’s cargo business, as the acting group finance director, replacing Alex Mbugua.

Former transport principal secretary Joseph Nduva Muli was also retired from the board and replaced by the current transport PS Irungu Nyakera.