Kenya Hopes President Trump Will Allow Direct Flights to USA

The Kenyan Government has requested President-Elect Donald Trump to keep politics away from the ongoing project that seeks to introduce direct flights between Kenya and the United States (US).

Kenya has invested billions, including a Sh1.3 Billion security upgrade to ensure that the long dream of having direct flights to America is achieved.

Last week, the aviation regulator in the US completed an audit where they gave Kenya a clean bill of health on issues of security and safety measures.

The assessment also gave the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) a level one status that will now allow direct flights between the two countries.

However, fears have been raised over the unanticipated win by Donald Trump – a man whose campaigned on a platform of isolationism, with stakeholders fearing he might block the direct flights.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Transport Irungu Nyakera has, however, expressed hope that the incoming US President will keep politics from the work of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Nyakera added that Kenya expected Trump to allow the FAA to operate independently from the federal government as stipulated in US law.

“From where we sit, getting direct flights to the US is an independent function of the FAA. I don't think politics could play into the process,” the PS affirmed on Thursday.

The direct flights have for a long time been in the offing and are expected to ease trade between the two countries.