Government directs public servants to travel using KQ

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Michael Kamau. He said that the cabinet had approved the directive and that the government was in the process of securing the services of travel agents who will help the government obtain the tickets. Photo/FILE 

By David Mugwe

In Summary

• The government has directed all public servants travelling by air to use Kenya Airways (KQ), a move that will most likely save it money on tickets procured at concessionary rates and boost the national carrier’s passenger numbers.
• Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Michael Kamau on Friday said that the cabinet had approved the directive and that the government was in the process of securing the services of travel agents who will help the government obtain the tickets.

The government has directed all public servants travelling by air to use Kenya Airways (KQ), a move that will most likely save it money on tickets procured at concessionary rates and boost the national carrier’s passenger numbers.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Michael Kamau on Friday said that the cabinet had approved the directive and that the government was in the process of securing the services of travel agents who will help the government obtain the tickets.

“All public servants will travel KQ going ahead. This is a cabinet directive. The government is in the process of procuring 10 travel agents to work with,” said Mr Kamau during a ceremony where KQ received a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to strengthen its long haul capability.

READ: Kenya Airways to receive a Boeing 777-300ER

The new directive comes barely two days after Parliament passed a resolution restricting air travel for public officers to economy class and not higher than business class for foreign trips.

A motion exempting President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto, the two Speakers of Parliament and their deputies, the Chief Justice and his deputy from the restrictions was passed on Wednesday.

However, all other state and public officers including officers of constitutional commissions, county governments, state corporations and departments will be confined to economy class unless they meet their own costs for an upgrade.

READ: Parliament cracks austerity whip on air travel

In July, KQ said that its total passenger numbers rose to 932,912 in the three months to June compared to 841, 223 in the same period last year, helped by increased traffic on its domestic, Africa, Middle East and Far East routes.

It posted a Sh7.86 billion loss after tax for the year ended March, as passenger numbers dropped following a series of travel advisories issued by foreign governments against travelling to the country due to security concerns.

KQ’s share on Friday closed at Sh10.45, an 8.33 per cent loss from its opening price at the beginning of this year of Sh11.40.