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{
    "id": 493857,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/493857/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 221,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mwaura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13129,
        "legal_name": "Isaac Maigua Mwaura",
        "slug": "isaac-mwaura"
    },
    "content": "what I would advocate for, but it actually shows the level at which flying is viewed – it is not seen as a luxury for the middle class and the elite only. If you look at continental Europe, one can fly from one country to another with as little as Kshs3,000 equivalent money. I am even reminded of a situation in England where a certain airport in Bradford never had assigned gates. In fact, gates were assigned upon landing of an aeroplane. That shows the kind of vibrancy of the airline industry. It is only recently that people who, otherwise would not have flown or boarded a plane for purpose of travelling have had an opportunity to do so through Jambo Jet, which is actually a subsidiary of the main carrier. And so, we are witnessing a situation where we have an oligopolistic tendency in the market, which is totally unfair. I am also reminded of the fact that we used to have a very vibrant airline called Jetlink which has since gone under because of this underhand competition tactics that are witnessed from the Kenya Airways. If you look at the shareholding of this airline, I concur with my colleagues that we really cannot say that this is a carrier whose benefits accrue--- Our Government has got quite a stake in it, but the benefits and profits do not necessarily accrue to Kenyans. Of course there are those benefits that go to the investors. This kind of environment has led to a situation whereby if you look at the status of the planes that Kenya Airways, for example, uses, they are not of very good quality. Allow me to use that example because Kenya Airways is a dominant airline. Most hon. Members will agree with me that even in Business Class you will find some seats that are not in good condition. Again, sometimes when you ask for service, you do not get quality service and it takes long. We have had incidents involving Members of Parliament, including a recent one that was reported in the Press. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, to call for the liberalization of this sector is actually to ensure that quality reigns, there is fair competition and that we have opportunities for our young people to be employed by those who shall be competing for our airspace. In fact, our carrier, because it is able to connect many African countries, you hear complaints by passengers. Recently when Qatar Airways was recruiting here in Nairobi for about ten positions, there was a very long queue of young Kenyans. Some of them were quite good looking because I think that is the undeclared qualification of being an air hostess. They queued all the way up to here in Parliament. Of course, they went back disappointed. This is simply because there are very few opportunities for young Kenyans to work as cabin crew in the air industry. If you consider the delays that occur when you are waiting for your flight, it is totally unacceptable. I have had incidents where I have had to wait for two or three hours and without any prior explanation. I am sure that this is not just my case; rather there are many people who would connect with these experiences. When it comes to the prioritization of our pilots to be employed, I have a very big document in my office from some workers who were sacked by Kenya Airways. One of the complaints they raised and needs to be investigated and which was canvassed very well in the Tenth Parliament, is that there was even a preference of hiring foreign pilots against our own here. When you look at that form of distribution and compare it with South Africa you will realize that there are so many other local players operating in the local market. However, in our country, this is very limited. In fact, some of the airlines The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}