Kenya Airways Staff Released After Detention in Republic of Congo Over Cargo Dispute

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo - The Republic of Congo’s military has released two Kenya Airways employees who were detained for two weeks following a dispute over cargo documentation, according to a statement from Kenya’s Foreign Ministry.

The detention had prompted Kenya Airways to suspend flights to the Republic of Congo, but the airline has announced that services will resume on Wednesday.

The issue began when Kenya Airways staff at Kinshasa’s main airport rejected a cargo shipment described as "valuable" due to lacking the necessary documentation.

Subsequently, the airline’s staffers were arrested by the Congo military and held, despite a military court granting their initial release.

The situation was closely monitored by the Kenyan government, highlighting the diplomatic ties between Kenya and the Republic of Congo.

Kenya has been actively involved in UN-backed peacekeeping missions in Congo, underscoring the generally cordial relations between the two nations.

Efforts to secure the release of the detained staff were spearheaded by the Kenyan Embassy in Congo. Korir Singoei, Foreign Ministry Principal Secretary, played a pivotal role in the negotiations.

Despite the challenges, embassy officials and colleagues were allowed only brief interactions with the detained employees during their captivity.

Singoei also met with the family of one of the detained staffers, reassuring them of their relative's safety and the fairness of their treatment by Congolese authorities.

This incident underscores the complexities of international operations and the challenges faced by global airlines in navigating local regulations and enforcement actions.