MPs send away Transport Principal Secretary Esther Koimet & Kenya Airways CEO Sebastian Mikosz over takeover of JKIA

MPs send away Transport PS over JKIA takeover

Mumbi Mutuko

February 26, 2019 11:58 AM

Angry MPs send away Transports PS

Transport Principal Secretary (PS) Esther Koimet

Members of Parliament have sent away Transport Principal Secretary (PS) Esther Koimet and Kenya Airways CEO Sebastian Mikosz for failing to provide records with details on KQ takeover of JKIA.

On Tuesday, Koimet appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing to shed light on the proposed deal.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Pulse Live Kenya

The lawmakers had stated that the two owe Kenyans an explanation on what informed the plan to have KQ takeover JKIA.

Takeover suspended

Pokot South MP David Pkosing stated: “As a committee, we want to scrutinise the proposal on the restructuring plan by KAA and the national carrier. We will also interrogate the Ministry of Transport on the deal.”

The National Assembly Public Investment Account (PIC) suspended the proposed takeover bid of JKIA by Kenya Airways.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, while declaring the suspension of the planned merger argued that the move would render the profitable aviation regulator bankrupt.

The Public Investments Committee also called for a forensic audit by the office of the Auditor-General on how the deal was reached.

Transport Principal Secretary (PS) Esther Koimet Pulse Live Kenya

Foul play

“Everything about this deal should stop because, if [we are] not careful, we are going to rush over something that it is going to affect [future] generations for decades,” Mr Nassir said.

According to the legislators, the plan to hand JKIA to KQ for 30 years was is suspect.

The lawmakers said that top forces were conniving to rip off the taxpayers adding that Kenya risks losing billions of shillings in revenue should the deal be allowed to proceed.

Mumbi Mutuko