We Will Sort Out Kenya Airways' Issues In 2026: President Ruto

President William Ruto has announced that the government will in 2026 commit to addressing the issues that have plagued the national airline Kenya Airways (KQ).

The Head of State announced his administration's plans for the flag carrier on Thursday, November 20, during his third State of the Nation Address at Kenya's Parliament buildings, during a joint session of the National Assembly and the Senate.

"We will sort out the challenges facing Kenya Airways by next year," he announced. His remarks came a few days after the National Assembly called for immediate reforms at KQ amid growing concerns over declining service quality, professionalism, and customer care at the national airline.

The matter was raised last week, on Wednesday afternoon, November 12, by Eldas Member of Parliament (MP) Adan Keynan, who sought a statement on the flag carrier's current status during a sitting presided over by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. 

The debate quickly became heated as Members from across the political divide accused KQ of losing the prestige that once made it “The Pride of Africa.”

“Just watching your facial appearance, Mr. Speaker, one can see the disappointment,” one Member remarked. “You wonder, is this the same KQ we once took pride in, or some new version from another world? The experience today is utterly disheartening.”

Lawmakers cited numerous complaints from travelers, including long flight delays, poor customer handling, cancelled connections, and frequent baggage losses, as they accused KQ’s management of neglecting customer welfare despite continued government support.

“KQ has been given every form of support by the government — structural, technical, administrative — yet what we receive in return is arrogance, poor service, and an erosion of professionalism,” argued Keynan. “It’s painful when citizens who once took pride in the flag carrier now avoid it out of fear of being stranded.”

Some MPs even went so far as to share personal experiences, describing inattentive flight attendants, unkempt cabins, and a lack of courtesy. Others questioned the airline’s fare structure, saying its pricing does not reflect the service delivered.

“Today, a traveler pays the same fare on Kenya Airways as they would on Emirates or Ethiopian Airlines, yet receives the service of a budget airline,” one MP complained. “It is unacceptable for a national carrier to treat its customers as though they are an inconvenience.”

President Ruto's intervention on matters KQ comes as the airline earlier this year recorded a net loss after tax of Ksh12.15 billion in the first half of 2025, a downward trend from the results recorded in a similar period in the first half of the financial year ending June 30, 2024, when the airline achieved a profit after tax of Ksh513 million.

In terms of fleet expansion, KQ, with regard to the status of the three narrow-body aircraft it planned to add in the fourth quarter of 2025, revealed through Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka that their arrival will not meet the timeline initially announced in a statement he issued on behalf of the airline on Monday, July 14, and that the latest the new aircraft can be expected to arrive in its fleet is March 2026.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Kenya Airways To Add Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft To Its Fleet In 2026

Meanwhile, President Ruto also announced that the government would rely on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for a broader overhaul of the country’s aviation infrastructure, including the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Mombasa International Airport and Lamu Airport.

"We will onboard Private Public Partnership in the modernisation of JKIA, Mombasa and Lamu airport," he announced, though not expressly naming the PPP that will be involved in this exercise.

Earlier this month, the Head of State opened up on Kenya's plans to hold discussions with Qatar over a potential partnership to upgrade JKIA. Speaking during a meeting with Kenyans living in Qatar, Ruto said the government had proposed to the Emir of Qatar a deal that would allow the Gulf nation to handle the upgrade, renovation, and expansion of the airport.

The proposed reforms are expected to position the country's aviation sector for improved efficiency, enhanced passenger experience, and long-term financial sustainability.