A Kenya Airways employee who allegedly filmed the arrival of a Southern China Airlines flight at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has been suspended.
Gire Ali took a video of some of the 239 passengers disembarking from the plane at JKIA on Wednesday.
Kenyans online were furious after the video went viral on social media, with many bashing the government for doing little to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus to the country.
A letter sent to Gire by KQ Chief human resource manager Evelyne Munyoki indicated he was suspended to pave way for further investigations into the matter.
"Following a report of video of China Southern flight arrival at JKIA and circulation of the video clip widely on social media and your alleged involvement in the matter, it has been decided that you be suspended from duty with effect from Feb 27.”
"This is to pave way for further investigations into the matter. During the period of suspension, you will be required to avail yourself to the investigating team.
"You are therefore required to remain contactable and within reach during the period. Also, note that the suspension period will be on full salary," the letter read.
Speaking to Nairobi News on Friday, Gire said: “Yes, it is true, what is trending is true they have suspended me.”
The video showed passengers from the Chinese plane wearing face masks but airport officials handling them did not have any protective gear.
In a tweet, Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., who is also a lawyer, castigated KQ for suspending the staff, saying he should have been promoted and his boss fired.
“This order will be reversed by any court. Public interest is more important than management interests,” Mutula said on Twitter.
Lawyer Ekuru Aukot said: “As a platinum member with the SkyTeam that includes Kenya Airways, I have canceled my ticket to Kigali because of KQ‘s conspiracy to endanger lives of 47 million Kenyans. Gire Ali is a patriot who exposed #coronavirusInkenya. He should be rewarded. Not suspended.”
He added: “Someone get me Gire Ali’s contacts. Once I get to Nairobi, happy to look for him. He needs to be defended by all Kenyans for the dangers of #coronavirusInkenya are dire! They threaten 48 million Kenyans currently relying on a weak health system.”
Former Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale wrote:” Suspend Mr Gire Ali? He is a mere whistleblower. Now our hero. Kenya Airways, yours is wisdom of fools.”
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