Court Stops Suspension, Arrest of KQ Employee Who Filmed Chinese Flight at JKIA

A Nairobi court on Monday temporarily quashed the decision by Kenya Airways to suspend an employee who filmed the arrival of a Chinese flight at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) last week.

This came after the employee; Gire Ali filled an application challenging KQ’s move to suspend him pending investigations into his conduct.

The court further barred the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) from arresting and prosecuting Gire over the incident pending hearing and determination of his case.

In his application, Gire who works as an assistant security agent at Kenya Airways accused his employer of punishing him for exposing what posed a threat to the lives of millions of Kenyans.

Through his lawyer Dunstan Omari, Gire argues that his suspension was made in bad faith, terming it a violation of public interest. 

Gire further told the court that he faces imminent arrest and arraignment in court to answer to charges of terrorism.

“That the charges preferred against the Applicant/Petitioner arise out of an alleged act of video recording of China Southern Airline Aircraft at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and circulation of the video clip on social media on 26th February 2020,” read papers filed in court.

Gire recorded the arrival of the flight carrying 239 passengers from China, where coronavirus has killed and infected thousands of people.