Six more KQ flights added to Nairobi-London route as Kenya, UK ink deal

Kenya and the United Kingdom have agreed to introduce six additional Kenya Airways flights between Nairobi and London every week in a move which President William Ruto says is aimed at addressing persistent cargo and passenger challenges.

The deal was made after President Ruto met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, where they signed a renewed Kenya-UK strategic partnership set to unlock major investments, create jobs, and boost Kenya's global competitiveness in trade, climate, technology, and security.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, in a statement on Tuesday, announced that the expanded air connectivity, set to begin this week, marks a deepening of commercial and tourism links between the two nations.

In addition to aviation ties, the two leaders committed to bolstering cooperation between their security and defence agencies through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and joint operations.

A Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) is expected to be signed, anchored on mutual respect for each country’s legal framework.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

“They agreed on the need to establish legal, regulatory, and policy mechanisms that ensure rights guaranteed by the Constitution are fully enjoyed in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others guaranteed by the same Constitution, laying the foundation for a society anchored in harmony, justice, and mutual respect,” read the statement.

On the regional front, the leaders committed to supporting peace and security initiatives, including the stabilisation of South Sudan, the development of a new framework to resolve the crisis in Sudan, and enhanced support for Somalia.

They further welcomed the continued engagement of the United States in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

They underlined the need to harmonise regional responses through the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The meeting likewise reaffirmed Kenya’s role in the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, with both leaders agreeing to support the country’s leadership in the mission.