KQ CEO Withdraws His Sentiments On Sacking Pilots As Strike Takes Shape

Kenya Airways chief executive Allan Kilavuka has eased his stance on pilots’ demands, instead pleading for patience ahead of the planned strike next week.

In a memo sent to staff on Friday and seen by Business Daily, Mr Kilavuka urged reconsidering the industrial action, saying all dispute resolution mechanisms have not been exhausted.

“Colleagues, I reiterate that this is not the time for sabotage. We are slowly but surely getting out of the woods. What we need now is your continued commitment. The strike notice puts at risk the goodwill and support we have received from our customers, the government and the Kenyan taxpayers,” he said.

The airline had threatened to sack pilots who go on strike after Tuesday’s talks with their union collapsed.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa), which represents about 400 pilots, issued a 14-day strike notice last week to protest a decision to do away with contributions to the provident fund, which they claim is a contractual agreement that KQ has with all employees.

The pilots said that KQ has unilaterally stopped both the employees’ and the employers’ contributions since 2020 and has failed to resume the retirement scheme..