Kenya made history yesterday when the maiden US direct flight finally landed at the JF Kennedy International Airport.
The flight was treated to a water cannon salute upon landing at the JF Kennedy International Airport with a ribbon cut at the ramp before guests were ushered to a brief ceremony which culminated into the cutting of a commemorative cake.
This was a historical moment worth celebrating. A moment that will be told to generations to come.
The direct US flights not only open up Kenya to the world, it also provides for great opportunities in the tourism and commerce sector. With these direct flights, Kenya is expected to reap heavily from improved business relations due to the ease of doing business caused by the direct flights.
Upon landing at the JF Kennedy international airport, Kenyans took to social media to express their joy and happiness at the milestone achieved by Kenya airways hence cementing itself as s true pride of Africa.
Other Kenyans though took issue with the fact that Kenyans have not been allowed to steer the SGR locomotives. The Kenyans and a section of political leaders led by Embakasi East Mp Babu Owino argue that it’s time a Kenyan steered the locomotives since a Kenyan was able to fly a direct US flight for 15 hours without experiencing any technical hitches.
“Yaani a Kenyan pilot can fly a Boeing to JFK a distance of about 11,800kms but Chinese here wont allow our people to steer a mere locomotive from Syokimau to Mombasa?” wrote Babu Owino.
The KQ flight was flown by veteran Kenya Airways pilot Joseph Kinuthia who expressed his joy at being chosen to fly the dreamliner 787.
Kenya airways entrusted the plane to captain Kinuthia and two co-pilots.
They were, Captain Eric Mbugua, Assistant Captain Jobba Said Musa and Assistant Captain Patrick Kipsambu.
“I have never flown to New York so it is a fascinating challenge,” he says. “And I’m honoured to be doing it for the first time for Kenya Airways.” said Captain Kinuthia before the maiden flight.
Captain Kinuthia and his crew will get into history books for being part of a milestone achievement.
Kenyans now want other kenyans given a chance with the SGR locomotives. In fact some say that the locomotives are not so technical compared to the boeing plane that was flown by a Kenyan.
An online call has been made to President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and ensure that Kenyans get the opportunity to steer the locomotives. He has also been asked to intervene and ensure that Kenyans too get employed at the SGR since it is them that are actually paying for the loan used to initiate and run the project.
I sampled a couple of reactions from Keyans on the same,here they are:
Blogger Fredrick Mikirau says, “Kenyan pilots flew the Boeing 787 plane to JFK port in US, a distance of over 10,000kms. Chinese under CBRC cannot allow Kenyans to steer those obsolete locomotives from Nairobi to Mombasa, a distance of less than 500kms.”
Kenyan pilots flew the Boeing 787 plane to JFK port in US, a distance of over 10,000kms. Chinese under CBRC cannot allow Kenyans to steer those obsolete locomotives from Nairobi to Mombasa, a distance of less than 500kms.
— Fredrick Mirikau Ⓜ (@MirikauFredrick) October 29, 2018
100 #SGR accountants are Chinese don’t forget that when we have several graduates with https://t.co/S4hEAqCAD5 degrees and CPA
— Mandela Onchwati ???? (@mandelaonchwati) October 29, 2018
Deputy President William Ruto is expected to receive the return flight today at about 10.30am.
It will be treated to a water cannon salute and musicals from the Kenya Police band.
The first direct flight to the US was flagged off by President Uhuru Kenyatta who termed the moment as historic saying that it will boost trade and tourism.
“It is historic for Kenya’s aviation sector to witness the inaugural direct flight between Nairobi and New York finally take off. The direct air link between our country and the US present great opportunities in trade, tourism and people-to-people relations” said President Kenyatta.
Kenyans hope that the President will act on their concerns hence create more employment opportunities.
Do you think Kenyans are justified to demand for positions at the SGR?