The CEO of Kenya Airways and a top official in the country’s foreign ministry have verified the recent release of two employees who had been held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since late April. The decision enables Kenya Airways to resume flights to Congo that were suspended throughout the crisis, which is a relief to both the airline and diplomatic circles.
The two airline employees were detained by Congo’s military intelligence on April 19, marking the start of the ordeal. According to reports, the arrest was connected to missing customs paperwork for some expensive cargo that Kenya Airlines had not yet accepted since the shipper’s paperwork was not complete. The two employees refused to comply even after a court order requiring their release was presented.
The two employees in custody were Lydia Mbotela, the manager of Kenya Airways in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and her Congolese coworker. Kenya’s principal secretary for international affairs, Korir Sing’oei, was the first to disseminate word of their release via the social media platform X. Sing’oei shared on social media, “Deeply grateful to report that Lydia Mbotela, KQ Manager in DRC, has just been released by the authorities in Kinshasa,” suggesting an important development in the case.
Kenya Airways verified the release of both workers with a formal announcement shortly afterward. “Kenya Airways affirms that our two employees have been unconditionally released by military authorities in Kinshasa,” said Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka. He conveyed gratitude and relief that the issue, which had presented a significant threat to the
The response from Congo’s government officials was less forthcoming. At the time of the release announcement, Congo’s communication minister, the government spokesperson, and military intelligence had not responded to requests for comments regarding the situation.
Kenya Airways insisted throughout the situation that it was actively collaborating with Kenyan and Congolese law enforcement as well as other government authorities to guarantee a prompt and equitable conclusion to the issue. The airline underlined that it is dedicated to using diplomatic and legal channels to protect its employees and business activities.
This instance emphasizes how intricately local laws, diplomatic relations, and global corporate operations interact. The start of flights signifies a return to normalcy for Kenya Airways, but it also highlights the necessity of strict control of the legal and operational issues that arise when handling overseas staff and cargo deployments.
