Kenya Airways Moves to Sue Standard Group

Kenya Airways (KQ) has threatened legal action against the Standard Group over an article published in The Standard Newspaper on Thursday, January 15, with the front page titled “Turbulence at KQ” and an article titled “Leases, looting and a grounded fleet expose turbulence at KQ”.

In a statement on Thursday, KQ characterised the publication as “malicious and scandalous”, asserting that it contains unfounded allegations regarding its operations and staff integrity.

“As the national carrier, Kenya Airways recognises the importance of public scrutiny and open discourse. We are accountable to our customers, shareholders, regulators, and the Kenyan public. That accountability must be grounded in verified facts, proper context, and a clear understanding of how the global aviation industry operates,” read part of the statement.

Kenya Airways Threatens to Pursue Legal Action

In its rebuttal, Kenya Airways stressed that the article raises serious, unsubstantiated claims concerning aircraft maintenance, safety, governance, and leadership. Most concerning to the airline were suggestions that employees were involved in criminal activity, such as theft or sabotage.

The national carrier denied these claims, stating that its staff are highly regulated and that any act of misconduct would lead to immediate disciplinary action and criminal prosecution.

Also Read: Kenya Airways Appoints New Group CEO

The airline specifically addressed allegations of “parts looting” or “parts robbery”, explaining that these claims misrepresent standard aviation maintenance procedures.

According to the statement, the controlled transfer of serviceable components between aircraft is a globally accepted practice used to manage operational continuity during global parts shortages. KQ noted that every component involved in this process is fully tracked, certified, and recorded, ensuring that safety is never compromised.

Regarding the status of its fleet and leasing agreements, Kenya Airways provided the following clarifications:

Fleet Availability: Currently, five aircraft are undergoing scheduled maintenance. The airline attributed turnaround times to global shortages of engines and spare parts affecting the entire aviation industry.
Leasing Rates: KQ stated that prevailing market conditions determine lease rates and that all leasing arrangements are concluded through established governance and approval processes guided by commercial prudence.

The airline expressed its commitment to transparency but noted that the reporting by The Standard “unfairly undermines confidence” in its personnel.

As a result, Kenya Airways has confirmed that it has engaged the publisher to seek rectification and is currently seeking legal advice on pursuing further legal and administrative action to defend its brand and reputation.

Standard Group Links Alleged Corruption to Current Crisis in KQ

KQ’s response came hours after the Standard Newspaper article was published. The article claims that Kenya Airways’ current crisis is not due to bad luck but to alleged corruption within the airline. It asserts that a criminal syndicate inside KQ is stealing parts from grounded aircraft and secretly selling them back to the airline, worsening the fleet problem.

The story also links the grounded planes to widespread flight cancellations, which it says are hurting passengers and causing losses to farmers who cannot export their produce on time.

Also Read: Kenya Airways Gives Heartfelt Goodbye to Beloved Employee After 37 Years

The article also criticises Kenya Airways’ decision to lease older Boeing aircraft at Sh60 million per month, describing the deal as financially reckless. It highlights that taxpayers have already spent more than Sh98 billion bailing out the airline and questions whether this is a betrayal of the national carrier.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and WhatsApp Community for Instant News Updates