​”Go Get Our Money” MPs Order State to Help KQ Recover Billions Held Abroad

Members of Parliament have directed the national government to intervene and help Kenya Airways (KQ) recover billions of shillings currently held by foreign governments abroad.

The directive, issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, follows growing concern from lawmakers that blocked ticket revenues overseas are starving the national carrier of much-needed cash flow at a time when it is working to stabilize its operations and reduce reliance on state bailouts.

​Across several foreign markets where Kenya Airways operates regular flights, strict currency repatriation rules and central bank bottlenecks have prevented the airline from transferring its local ticket sales back to Nairobi.

Because aviation is a dollar-intensive business—requiring regular payments for aircraft leasing, spare parts, insurance, and international fuel—having billions stuck in foreign accounts creates a heavy financial strain.

Lawmakers noted that leaving KQ to negotiate alone with foreign central banks puts the airline at a disadvantage, insisting that diplomatic pressure through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Treasury is essential to unlock the funds.

​During parliamentary deliberations, MPs pointed out that freeing up those trapped revenues would immediately boost KQ’s working capital without forcing Kenyan taxpayers to dig deeper into their pockets.

They urged state ministries to engage their counterparts in affected countries through bilateral agreements and diplomatic channels to clear the backlog quickly.

​For official committee reports, Hansard records, and parliamentary directives on state corporations, citizens can visit the Parliament of Kenya portal.

​With Parliament now putting its weight behind the recovery push, attention shifts to how swiftly government ministries will act to bring Kenya Airways’ billions back home.

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