Gathoni Wamuchomba questions KQ’s management over grounded aircraft
By Joel Masibo, December 29, 2025Fresh questions have been raised over the management and transparency of the loss-making national carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ) following conflicting statements on the number of aircraft grounded.
In her statement shared via X on Monday, December 29, 2025, Githunguri Member of Parliament (MP) Gathoni Wamuchomba has accused the airline’s leadership of misleading the public, taxpayers, and shareholders on the true state of its operations.
KQ’s inconsistencies
According to Wamuchomba, Kenya Airways has, over time, issued varying figures regarding the number of non-operational aircraft in its fleet. While a KQ spokesperson has indicated that 11 aircraft are grounded, some managers have cited eight, a former chief executive reportedly mentioned five, and earlier communications placed the number at just three.
These differing accounts have appeared on the airline’s official X (formerly Twitter) account as well as in local newspapers, creating confusion and eroding public trust.
The lawmaker now says Kenya Airways has finally admitted that 11 aircraft are grounded, roughly a third of its fleet. She argues that this revelation raises serious concerns, particularly given that employees, including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff, have been placed on half pay during this period.
”What’s cooking in Kenya Airways? How many aircraft are actually parked as non-operational by Kenya Airways? Today, Kenya Airways has finally admitted that 11 aircraft are grounded,” she wrote.
Wamuchomba further questioned the explanation that the aircraft have been grounded for years due to a lack of spare parts. She noted that no major international airline, citing Ethiopian Airlines, Air Maroc, Middle East Airlines, and others, has experienced a situation where planes are grounded for as long as five years over spare parts issues alone.
She questioned why senior management has continued to draw full salaries under such circumstances, arguing that they must be held accountable for the losses incurred.
Operational challenges
”This would mean Kenyan taxpayers have been paying for leases of 11 planes for 5 years, and they aren’t generating income. Why then has KQ management been earning a salary? They need to answer,” Wamuchomba said.
The MP also highlighted what she described as a stark contrast between Kenya Airways and its low-cost subsidiary, Jambojet. While KQ struggles with grounded aircraft, Jambojet has reportedly had no grounded planes since 2020 and continues to borrow from commercial banks, with Kenya Airways acting as guarantor.
To Wamuchomba, this disparity further undermines the claim that spare parts shortages are the root cause of KQ’s operational challenges.
Attention has also been directed at the airline’s acting Chief Executive Officer, George Kamal.
Wamuchomba has noted that Kamal previously oversaw critical operational areas, including supply chain management, flight operations, technical services, and the operational control centre after his appointment in March 2023.
She has questioned why, despite expectations that he would stabilise operations and improve the airline’s fortunes, more aircraft reportedly broke down or were disposed of during his tenure, yet he was later promoted.
”Since then, more brand new aircraft have systematically broken down, and others have been donated to schools or bars, yet he was expected to improve operations and KQ’s fortunes. So why was he PROMOTED? To Ground more? KQ management needs to answer these questions truthfully; for it’s Kenyans taxpayers money they are playing with. It’s not their money. Accountability is a MUST,” she added.
Gathoni Wamuchomba has emphasised that the airline is sustained by public funds and that taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and honesty.