Kenya Airways close Kisumu, Johannesburg town booking offices over protests

The effects of parallel political protests planned for tomorrow in Kenya and South Africa have started being felt before the D-day as Kenya Airways announce closure of booking town offices in Kisumu and Johannesburg respectively citing safety and security concerns.

However, KQ’s airport offices in the two cities will remain operational.

“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, March 20, 2023 and reopen on March 21, 2023 due to the anticipated protests in these cities,” the statement said in part.

Full operations are set to resume on Tuesday March 21, 2023.

“Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the offices. The safety and wellbeing of our employees and customers are our highest priority.” KQ added.

Today, police declared the Azimio One Kenya Coalition anti-government protests illegal in a media briefing addressed by the Nairobi County Police Commander Adamson Bungei.

Bungei warned that those who would be found breaching security measures in place would be dealt with immediately according to the law.

At the same time, the Cabinet Secretary of Interior Kindiki Kithure has declared that any person who incites public disorder or otherwise breaches the peace in any part of the Republic of Kenya shall be prosecuted.

President William Ruto on his part has ruled out any chances of him bowing to pressure, threats or ultimatums by those who want to get what they want through unconstitutional means.

The President has however said he is ready to engage with any leader provided it is within the confines of the Constitution.

“I’m ready to engage with any leader if we are discussing the future of our country in a constitutional, legal manner. But I’m not going to engage in anarchy, you are not going to threaten us with ultimatums and chaos,” the President said.

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Raila unlawfully declared Monday, March 20, 2023, a public holiday.

At the time, Raila who was speaking during a political rally noted that his supporters will not be working on that day.

Azimio is calling for mass action to protest against the high cost of living and electoral injustices.

Raila said protestors will converge right at the Nairobi Central Business District and start their march to Parliament buildings.

“To Kenyans, tomorrow (Monday) is a public holiday. If you can’t come to Nairobi, protest from wherever you are,” Raila said in Rongai.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters led by Julius Malema has also called for protests on the same day.

EFF is organizing nationwide marches to protest against the country’s power crisis and has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.

President Ramaphosa, however issued a stern warning to the opposition leader ahead of the planned national shutdown.

The Head of State has not taken the planned action lightly and has ordered law enforcement to deal decisively with “any lawlessness” during the shutdown.

He addressed the media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria during a state visit by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

He stressed that they would ensure that rebelliousness or anarchy is nipped in the bud.

“If you are going to restrict the rights of other people, coerce, intimidate and unleash violence, our security forces are going to defend the people of South Africa because we will not allow anarchy and disorder to prevail in this country. So, we will see what happens,” said Ramaphosa on national television.