Kenya Airways, USIU Announce Partial Disruptions Over Azimio Protests

Kenya’s protests were called by Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, in a fight against the government of President William Ruto...

admin admin
Mar 19, 2023 - 17:56 Updated: Sep 2, 2023 - 22:05
0
Kenya Airways, USIU Announce Partial Disruptions Over Azimio Protests
Collage of USIU Library and a tail of a Kenya Airways plane. /VIRALTEAKE

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) and the United States International University-Africa (USIU) are among a number of institutions that have announced temporary disruptions affecting some of their operations on Monday, March 20 due to the planned Azimio la Umoja protests.

In a notice on Sunday, March 19, KQ revealed that it will close its booking offices in Kisumu and Johannesburg in South Africa owing to the protests taking place on the same day.

Kenya’s protests were called by Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, in a fight against the government of President William Ruto, which he claims is illegitimate. He is also agitating for solutions to the high cost of living, among other priorities.

In South Africa, opposition leader Julius Malema, of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is mobilising a national shutdown, with the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) joining in.

A collage of South Africa, opposition leader Julius Malema and Raila Odinga of Kenya. /VIRALTEAKE

Malema’s EFF is embarking on the protests to push for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and demand an improvement on the southern African nation's energy crisis.

KQ however noted that the rest of the offices including those at the airports of Kisumu and Johannesburg will remain open, assuring its customers that they would resume normalcy on Tuesday, March 21.

"Kenya Airways (KQ) wishes to inform our customers that our town booking offices in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Kisumu, Kenya, will remain closed on Monday 20th March 2023 and reopen on 21st March 2023 due to the anticipated protests in these cities.

"All our other offices within our network including the airport offices in Johannesburg and Kisumu will be operational. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the offices. The safety and well-being of our employees and customers are our highest priority," KQ stated in part.

USIU stated in an internal notice to faculty, students and staff confirmed by sources who told Viral Tea that upon monitoring the political situation during the weekend, the university decided that classes will only be available online and only essential employees will need to report to campus.

"As you probably know, there may be mass demonstrations tomorrow in Nairobi. We have been monitoring the situation all weekend, and have decided that classes will be online tomorrow and only essential staff-those who support online learning and essential services on campus, need to report to the campus. Staff members who are not in these categories will work from home.

"I apologize for the late notice, but at this point, this is being done in the interest of your safety and security. If you are out tomorrow, please be aware of your surroundings and monitor the local media for any updates," the notice by Vice-Chancellor Professor Margee Ensign read in part.

Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had previously clarified that Monday, March 20 is a working day, in response to Raila's unlawful declaration of a public holiday.

However, a number of schools and institutions have asked students and their staff not to report on the said date as a precaution ahead of the protests. Parents are also worried about some students are expected to report back to school on Monday and Tuesday after the lapse of the midterm.

Professor Kindiki further stated that normal working day activities including learning in schools and other institutions shall proceed normally.

“The government assures the public of their safety and advises every one to continue with their activities uninterrupted and allow security agencies to discharge their mandate or maintain law and order,” said the CS.

Additionally, Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei assured business owners operating in the city that there shall be no disruptions that prohibit traders from continuing with their daily activities.

“We wish to assure all Kenyans and persons of goodwill within the city of Nairobi that we have taken appropriate security measures to ensure public safety and movement of people come tomorrow. We are ready to secure their lives and property, but we wish to caution any person that will breach the peace or break the law during the procession shall be dealt with precisely according to the law,” he said.

Nairobi Police boss Adamson Bungei speaking to the media on Sunday, March 19, 2023. /TWITTER

Tags: