Gichinga cited degrading working conditions, coupled with poor employee relations as the main reasons behind the massive brain drain of valued expertise from the airline/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 27 – The Kenya Pilot Association (KALPA) has called for an overhaul of Kenya Airways’ (KQ) management over massive losses recorded since last year.
Speaking at a media briefing earlier on Wednesday, the associations’ Secretary General Paul Gichinga said the latest loss of Sh26.2 billion is too high and could worsen in the coming years should the government fail to institute changes.
“We express our dissatisfaction with the efforts being exuded in the airline’s recovery, and once again call for an immediate intervention in addressing the current issues facing KQ,” he said.
He said it is evident that there is clear hesitation and laxity by KQ board in fully adopting the recommendations of the Senate Select Committee on KQ.
Gichinga cited degrading working conditions, coupled with poor employee relations as the main reasons behind the massive brain drain of valued expertise from the airline.
“Who would want to work in such a toxic environment? Staff morale has dipped to an all time low,” he said.
He said it has been over two years since the CEO KQ Mbuvi Ngunze was appointed to the helm of the organization but he has failed to clearly articulate the reasons behind the sorry state of the company’s fortunes.
“A forensic audit was and still remains the only way of unearthing the deep rooted corruption in the airline and sadly to date this has not been concluded,” he said.
Kenya Airways is undertaking a major staff rationalization process targeting to lay off 600 workers and Gichinga termed it as an insult to Kenyanization and a setback in national efforts towards Vision 2030.
“It’s a shame that in this day and age, in our thriving democracy a national carrier can prioritize the retention of foreign employees at the expense of local employees with matching skill set and experience,” he said.
He called upon Kenyans and every stakeholder to join in effort of redeeming the pride of Africa.
“Now more than ever it is important that due to consideration is given to the airline a fighting chance and the first step of which would be the immediate change of guard at them,” he said.
