Lift ban on W. Africa flights, Uhuru says
What you need to know:
- Asked whether KQ would take up the challenge by the President, Mr Ngunze was not categorical but said in a statement; “This mission may facilitate Kenya Airways re-entry into the two markets, whose flights were suspended by Kenya in August following the breakout of Ebola.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the national carrier Kenya Airways to consider resuming flights to West African destinations suspended following the outbreak of Ebola last year.
Two Kenya Airways planes chartered by the African Union left Nairobi yesterday at noon with the first batch of 170 Kenyan volunteer health workers for Ebola-hit countries.
Nurses, doctors and laboratory technicians trained on detecting and management of the disease and who will form part of the African Union’s support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa left the country after President Kenyatta bade them farewell at State House in Nairobi.
Kenya Airways’ Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mbuvi Ngunze said it was a privilege to be chartered by the union.
TAKE UP CHALLENGE
Asked whether KQ would take up the challenge by the President, Mr Ngunze was not categorical but said in a statement; “This mission may facilitate Kenya Airways re-entry into the two markets, whose flights were suspended by Kenya in August following the breakout of Ebola.”
Mr Kenyatta said Kenya is committed to Africa’s resolve to provide solutions to the continent’s challenges. He said Kenya has paid its pledge of a million dollars (Sh90 million) to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea to fight Ebola.
He said Kenya would contribute 319 health workers to join the Ebola response as pledged during the 10th ordinary meeting of the East African Community Sectoral Council of Ministers in October last year.
“The outbreak of Ebola in West Africa presented a profound global crisis. It challenged the affected nations, Africa and the global community’s capacities and approaches to humanitarian emergencies,” the President said.
