Mwakwere says KQ will not stop W. African route

Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni.

By Agatha King’oo

KENYA Airways will embark on building its reputation to boost customer confidence in West Africa routes following the tragedy that befell one of its planes in Douala, Cameroon.
Speaking when he held discussions with Cameroon Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni, Transport minister, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, described the crash as most unfortunate and called for support from both Governments to promote commercial and social interaction of their citizens.

He was optimistic that the Flight Voice Recorder would be recovered to assist in investigations to establish the cause of the crash. So far the Flight Data Recorder has been retrieved from the wreckage.
At the same time, Mwakwere conveyed condolences from the Government and the people of Kenya to the Cameroonian Government and the Cameroonian families which lost their loved ones in the tragic crash.

He said the Government was grateful for the support and effort the Cameroon authorities have accorded towards the search and recovery operations. Further, he expressed satisfaction to the Cameroon Government for involving Kenyan officials in the key committees that have been set up to oversee investigations into the crash.
Inoni, on his part, said his Governmnet has already formed a commission of inquiry to co-ordinate and carry out investigations on the incident and later share information with Kenya Airways and the Kenyan Governmnet officials currently in Douala.
Noting that almost all of the victims being recovered from the wreckage could not be identified, he said all efforts are now to ensure that their remains are taken care of and accorded utmost dignity.

He also conveyed to the Government and people of Kenya his Government’s sympathies and condolences following the death of nine Kenyan crew members in the ill-fated flight.
The Flight KQ 507 crashed on Saturday in Douala, Cameroon with 114 passengers on board. Majority of the passengers were from Cameroon.