Relief as stranded KQ customers get assistance

An establishment shot of Kisumu International Airport on April 28, 2016. Passengers were stranded at the airport earlier on October 23, 2016. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Airport manager Joseph Okumu confirmed that an aircraft with 35 passenger-capacity could not carry everybody who had been booked to travel tonight.

About 20 passengers including Rangwe MP George Oner were stranded at Kisumu International Airport Sunday evening after Kenya Airways' Jambojet provided an aircraft with a smaller capacity despite making high booking.

Airport manager Joseph Okumu confirmed that an aircraft with a 35 passenger-capacity could not carry everybody who had been booked to travel Sunday night.

“They had anticipated a bigger usual aircraft and booked more but there were challenges which led to the provision of the smaller plane,” Mr Okumu told Nation.

He said those who were left behind will be booked at local hotels to travel Monday morning.

“The plane sent to pick 49 passengers can only carry 35 and so the rest must remain here,” Mr Oner said.

He said he would miss a show on NTV tomorrow following the confusion.

“Tell Ken Mijungu (of NTV) I can’t make it for tomorrow's show but can do Tuesday,” the MP said.

Karachuonyo Parliamentary aspirant Anderson Ojwang’ and Hesbon Ooko also missed out.

“We have been told that we will be housed at The Vic Hotel to travel tomorrow. We have really been inconvenienced as we were to have other engagements in Nairobi tomorrow,” Mr Ojwang’ said.

But the matter was resolved later at 9pm.