Metro

Striking Kenya Airways pilots call off industrial action

Published

1 year ago

November 9, 2022

Kenya Airways pilots who embarked on a strike last Saturday to press home they demands for improved conditions of service, have called off their industrial action after four days.

The strike which was called by the Kenya Airlines Pilots Association (KAPLA) after the airlines management had failed to meet an ultimatum given by the union, was called off on Wednesday morning following a ruling on Tuesday by the Employment and Labour Relations Court which ordered the pilots to resume work.

Labour Relations Court judge Anna Mwaure in her ruling, had written in an order:

“The Kenya Airways pilots are to resume their duties as pilots by 6:00 am on November 9, 2022, unconditionally.”

Announcing the end of the strike in s statement jointly signed by KALPA Chairman, Captain Timothy Njoroge, and Secretary-General, Murithi Nyagah, the union said it was withdrawing from the strike and urged their members to resume duty on November 9, 2022, at 6 am.

“Members are also urged to report to the Executive Council any incident of victimisation or disciplinary action that may be taken contrary to the court’s orders,” the statement said.

The pilots association apologised to passengers and said they regretted the disruption and inconvenience to KQ guests and urged their members to immediately restore normalcy to operations.

The strike which had paralysed activities at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport had seen more than 15,000 passengers stranded while the airlines management had threatened to sack the striking pilots if they failed to go back to work.

Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, who welcomed the court’s decision, wrote on the airline’s website:

“We thank the court for the expeditious ruling that now allows KQ to resume its normal operations. We commit to complying with the court’s directions.”

Kenyan Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, who also welcomed the court order, urged the airline not to victimise any pilot who took part in the strike.

“The past four days have been difficult for Kenya’s aviation industry due to the strike by the Kenya Airline Pilot Association (Kalpa). We convey our sincere apologies to travellers and cargo customers affected by the strike,” he said in a statement.

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Metro

‘Rights must go with responsibilities,’ traditional leader cautions on use of social media

Published

11 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Mansa, Luapula Province: Annette Katema, the Head Woman of Chitumbi Village in Mansa District, voices concerns about the detrimental effects of irresponsible social media usage.

In a recent interview with Zambia Monitor, Katema argued that social media platforms were contributing to delinquency among the youth, particularly platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Children are being exposed to inappropriate content on WhatsApp, which is harmful to their upbringing. Social media platforms are fostering moral decay,” remarked Head Woman Chitumbi.

She stated that this trend undermined the cultural values that were essential for societal cohesion.

Katema expressed reservations about the prevalence of nudity and offensive language on social media, calling for stricter moderation.

She advocated for proactive measures to steer young people away from harmful online content, suggesting the revitalization of traditional recreational activities like playhouses and sports.

“Instead of solely relying on punitive measures, let’s invest in creating positive alternatives to counter the allure of social media,” Katema proposed.

She urged the youth to uphold traditional values alongside their digital rights, stating the importance of responsible behavior online.

“We should not lose respect in the name of digital rights because rights should go with responsibilities,” the traditional leader said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

President Tinubu finally returns to Nigeria amid speculations over his absence

Published

15 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

After spending the last two weeks out of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has finally returned to the country.

Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria on Wednesday morning, had departed the country two weeks ago, on April 23, for The Netherlands for a three-day official visit, honouring an invitation from the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

While in the European country, Tinubu participated in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum, which brought together heads of conglomerates and organisations in both countries.

After his engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend a World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development which held between April 28–29.

However, after the summit, the president did not return to the country as he was said to have proceeded to London for a private visit which gave room to speculations over his health.

The Nigerian Presidency did not also help matters as there was no official statement on the President’s engagements, nor were they willing to douse the tension created by his absence, leading to Nigerians raising posers with the hashtag #WhereisTinubu.

In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had revealed that Tinubu would be back in the country on Wednesday.

“President Bola Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” he had written.

The recent foreign trip was Tinubu’s 20th since assuming office on May 29, 2023, effectively logging 96 days abroad, which has made him one of Africa’s most globe-trotting leaders.

In his less than one year in office, President Tinubu has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom (twice); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic, New Delhi, India.

He has also taken a trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal; Doha, Qatar; and The Hague, The Netherlands.