Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the closure of its booking offices in Kisumu and Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday, March 20, 2023.
In a statement on Sunday evening, the national carrier said the closure is due to the anticipated protests expected in the two cities.
“All our other offices within our network including the airport offices in Johannesburg and Kisumu will be operational. 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,” reads KQ’s statement in part.
While anti-government protests called by the Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga are expected in most parts of Kenya, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party in South Africa will be pushing for what it termed as a national shutdown.
The Julius Malema-led red beret movement is accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration of a growing list of challenges plaguing the country.
In Kenya, the Interior Ministry has assured citizens of safety amid the protests, with Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki reinstating that any attempt to destroy property or claim lives will be met by security forces.