- According to Murkomen, he has started talks with Tanzania's Minister for Transport to find a solution to the stalemate.
- The CS reiterated that Tanzania is Kenya's neighbour and a great economic partner, and that a solution will be found quickly.
Image: FILE
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has broken his silence after the Tanzanian government placed a ban on Kenya Airways passenger flights to the country.
According to Murkomen, he has started talks with Tanzania's Minister for Transport to find a solution to the stalemate.
The CS reiterated that Tanzania is Kenya's neighbour and a great economic partner and that a solution will be found quickly.
He said that while at it, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi is also in talks with his Tanzanian counterpart, January Makamba.
"Kufuatia hatua ya Tanzania kusitisha safari za ndege za Kenya Airways nchini humo, nimeanzisha majadiliano ya mara moja na Waziri wa Uchukuzi wa Tanzania Ndugu yangu Profesa Makame Mbarawa kutatua suitafahamu hiyo... Tanzania ni jirani na mshirika wetu mkubwa wa kiuchumi na suluhu ya jambo hili itapatikana hivi punde," Murkomen said.
This loosely translates to, "Following Tanzania's decision to suspend Kenya Airways flights in the country, I have initiated an immediate discussion with the Minister of Transport of Tanzania, my brother Professor Makame Mbarawa to resolve the matter... Tanzania is our neighbour and great economic partner and a solution to this matter will be found soon."
On Monday, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority banned the operation of flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
The authority's director general Hamza Johari said the flights were banned under Third and Fourth Freedom Traffic Rights with effect from January 22, 2024.
Johari said the decision was arrived at after Kenya aeronautical authorities refused Tanzania's request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited.
In response, KQ said it was working with agencies in Tanzania to ensure there would be no flight disruption.
"Kenya Airways (KQ) is aware of the Public Notice issued by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority on January 15, 2024, rescinding the approvals of KQ to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam effective 22nd January 2024," the statement read.
"Kenya Airways is engaging the Civil Aviation Authorities and relevant government agencies in Kenya and Tanzania to find a solution that will ensure there are no flight disruptions between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam."
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and his Tanzanian Counterpart January Makamba later expressed commitment to end the standoff that had occasioned the suspension of Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam.
Mudavadi said he had spoken to Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Makamba and agreed to resolve the matter.
"We have jointly agreed that our respective Civil Aviation Authorities will work together to have the matter resolved amicably within the next three days. There should therefore be no cause for alarm," Mudavadi said on Monday.