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{
    "id": 696444,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/696444/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 235,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Abongotum",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 165,
        "legal_name": "Asman Abongutum Kamama",
        "slug": "asman-kamama"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker. This is a sorry state of affair. It looks like there is a bigger scheme to bring down KQ like it has been done in other countries. There are many airlines which have collapsed. If this airline collapses, it is going to be a big shame to this country and even to the leadership of this country and Parliament. We must have a strategy of saving KQ. We must review and renegotiate the MoU. We must do that as a matter of priority. I know it has to be done professionally. I know this was done by a former Managing Director (MD) with KLM. The former MD later disappeared and I do not know where he is. We then brought in Naikuni, and Naikuni and his group have actually let down this country. We talk about losses amounting to Kshs29 billion. I am not sure whether we are going to succeed. I am happy that they have brought in McKinsey Management Consultants to solve this problem. They are paying Kshs45 million every week. That consultancy fee must also be reviewed. The role of Astral, the company owned by our good friend who sometimes behaves like Caesar’s wife, Hon. Raila Odinga, must be thoroughly investigated. This company must be investigated. Most of the time, the former Prime Minister behaves like Caesar’s wife, that on matters of corruption, he is Mr. Clean. We can point out very many things, but not today. The role of Astral Limited must be thoroughly investigated. This is the company that brings money to Emirates, Etihad and British Airways. So, we propose that the cargo business must be part of the core business of KQ. There is the issue of under-pricing and over-pricing. I think there is a big scheme to kill this airline. In some routes, the prices are under-priced. In East Africa, they are over-priced to the benefit of some people. That has to be investigated. It is shameful that Ethiopian Airline, which is paying its pilots between Kshs400,000 and Kshs500,000, is doing better than KQ. It is even expanding the rate of 70 per cent. I think KQ has better managers compared to some of those airlines. The KQ is also under threat from the pilots’ union, which normally sits down and hikes salaries to the extent that it is no longer possible to make profits in this airline. Therefore, I propose we form a select committee to deal exhaustively with this matter. I thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}