Kenya Airways fails to reach agreement with pilots amid strike notice

KALPA Secretary General Capt. Murithi Nyaga stated that they are still open to negotiations with the airline and that the strike notice issued was a last option.

"It's a show of bad faith by the management for employing delay tactics to forestall the situation. Our interest is not to cripple the airline and its operations but to get what is rightfully ours," said Capt. Nyaga.

On the other hand, KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka says the pilots have maintained a hard stance demanding the reinstatement of the Provident Fund which the airline says they cannot afford. 

"As Kenya Airways we were on the negotiating table with the pilots and they (KALPA) refused to bend on their demands making it hard to reach a resolution," said Kilavuka.

KQ got a reprieve after it obtained a court order stopping the strike by the pilots that was to begin Wednesday, however, the pilots say that they have not been served with any court papers and that the status quo remains.

"…we are not aware of any court injunction by KQ as we have not received any documents from them," said Capt. Nyaga.

On his part, the KQ CEO however says: "...our pilots are law-abiding citizens and we expect them to adhere to the rule of law."

KALPA further accused KQ management of pilot victimisation and harassment with some pilots being sacked for questioning the management.

On Monday Kenya Airways chairman Michael Joseph brushed off calls for him to step down together with the airline’s CEO, Allan Kilavuka. This coming after Joseph was handed a fresh three-year term as chairman in July.

In a strongly worded memo, he informed the carrier's workers that there is no justification for their resignation.

"Let me be clear, the Board and myself and, I believe, our shareholders, have absolute confidence in Allan and his management team. No amount of threats or coercion will compel us to ask for any resignations from anyone and certainly, I have no intention of stepping down, unless the KQ Board following due process, requests my resignation," said Joseph.