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KENYA AIRWAYS TO FLY THE SKIES OF ROME AGAIN
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Good news
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Goodies for Kenyans in Italy and lovers of this most wonderful East
African country this year seem to have been released in dozens. After the wide
steps made in creating one strong Wakenya Association representing all Kenyans in Italy,
heavens seem to have liked the idea too. This was followed by the high profile presence of the
Equity Bank at the Madaraka day celebrations held on the 6th June 2010 in Rome.
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As if to underline the importance of the Kenyans in Italy,
another big step forward is here...KQ, is on its way back to
the skies of Rome. After a distance of 10 years that have left Kenyans,
lovers of Kenya and travellers to Nairobi wander in the whole place before
getting home, the Kenyan Flag carrier has announced that it will fly its
vehicles between Nairobi and Rome starting from November this year.
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The Chief Excecutive Officer Mr. Titus Naikuni did not know what a relief his
announcement brought to many Kenyans and the Italians who have had to turn to the
very uncomfortable charter flights that have specific periods to fly in a year.
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Coming back of KQ to Rome
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Besides flying in a vehichle of our own,
having Kenya Airways in Rome has got many other advantages:
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Direcct flights: This means a shorter distance home. We shall not need to pass
in other peoples' places, where we do not understand their languages and mannerisms,
where we have to remove our shoes and walk on very dirty carpets
in the name of security measures. We shall not have to transit in those funny
airports where when you ask for a sandwish you are given a glass of milk due
to confusion of English and their languages.
And above all, we shall not be subjected to the arrogance of piazza Barberini.
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Shorter time: Direct flights means
shorter times in getting home. We shall again get to Nairobi within seven
hours of the same flight.
Travelling especially on emergency had become so difficult.
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Understanding of the Immigration documents:
No one understands you better that your own Government and entities therein.
Kenyans have undergone untold pains from when the Italian Immigration authorities decided
to replace permits of stay with waiting slips. Theoretically, a waiting slip is supposed to
serve for only a short period when the documents are under process. The times of processing
however got prolonged extending to one year if not more for most of the applicants.
Travelling with waiting slips came with its own conditions and difficulties. Many Kenyans
remained grounded in JKIA because the foreign airlines would not let them check in because
they held the waiting slips and not permits of stay. This has all been very strange because
according to the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs, persons holding these slips should be
able to re-enter Italy legally.
Having a direct flight from Nairobi will have sorted out this problem once and for all.
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Fleight of perishables:
While Kenya is a producer of a number of species of vegetables and flowers that
would be apprecaited in Italy, a sharp hick up lies in the fact that these
good cannot get to any Italian town directly from Kenya. So far they have
had to pass through other towns in Europe making them of lesser quality by
the time they get in Italy.
This will be setled down comfortably if our flag carrier can do the
Nairobi Rome route once again.
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The advantages are more. All we can do is open our hands and let the Kenya Airways
know that their initiative is appreaciated very much, not only by the Wakenyas in Italy,
but by a whole magnificent community of
Italians who travel frequently to Kenya and other destinations in Africa.
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