Jubilee MPs oppose plan to bail out Kenya Airways

A section of Jubilee leaders have opposed any plans by the government to bail out Kenya Airways and instead prosecute those behind the company’s losses.
Led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, the MPs said the announcement of the Sh29.8 billion loss before tax was a serious economic crime.
Speaking during a fundraiser at Nkarini Secondary school in Tharaka Constituency, they insisted that the financial crisis at the national carrier should be thoroughly investigated.

READ: KQ posts record Sh25bn loss
“We want the men and women who ran down the Kenya Airways be brought to book. We want nothing to do with the bailout before those who stole the money are arrested,” Mr Duale said.

Mr Duale said the same fate had befallen Mumias Sugar Company and the Kenya Meat Commission.

'ROBBING' THE ORGANISATION

Last week, the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich hinted that the government would bail out the company.
“It is very shameful that people are robbing serious organisations. We are telling Mr Rotich that he cannot bail out Kenya Airways until you bring to book the men and women who looted and broke down the company,” the Garissa Township MP said.
His sentiments were supported by Chuka-Igambangombe counterpart Muthomi Njuki and Tharaka-Nithi Women Representative Beatrice Nkatha, who said there was more to the loss.
Mr Njuki said it was unimaginable how an airline that competes with some of the best airlines in the world to become broke.
“It is impossible to imagine how the airline can register losses and leave others like Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways and South African Airlines that operate from outside the country and still make profits.

"There is need for proper and thorough investigations to reveal the real cause behind the losses,” he said.
Ms Nkatha said those found culpable of making the company make losses should be prosecuted.