Kenya Airways Adds Domestic Flights Ahead of Deadline
KQ increased the number of flights between the major cities of Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. Starting Saturday, March 27, the airline will have four flights - two flights from Nairobi to Mombasa and Mombasa to Nairobi.
Marvin Chege 
National carrier Kenya Airways has increased its flight capacity ahead of the Monday, March 29 deadline, when travel into and out of five counties will be suspended.
This is after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a cessation of all movement by road, train, or air into and out of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru Counties until further notice.
It is a prompt move the government has opted for to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country, which is on its third and deadliest wave.
KQ increased the number of flights between the major cities of Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. Starting Saturday, March 27, the airline will have four flights - two flights from Nairobi to Mombasa and Mombasa to Nairobi.
The flights from Nairobi to Mombasa will leave from 1 pm to 2 pm. The one leaving Mombasa will depart from 2:50 pm to 3:50 pm.
The second one from Nairobi will leave from 5 pm to 6 pm and leave Mombasa from 6:50 pm to 7:50 pm.
On Sunday, five flights will operate from Nairobi to Mombasa. The earliest flight will be from 8 am while the latest will leave Nairobi at 5 pm.
Only three flights will leave Mombasa for Nairobi on the same day.
On Monday, there will be two flights from Nairobi to Mombasa and two others from Mombasa to Nairobi.
In addition, the airline upgraded its fleet to the Boeing 737-8 from the Embraer 190, normally used for domestic flights.
KQ added that passengers affected by the suspension of domestic flights can reschedule their bookings or request a refund.
Tourism CS Najib Balala had announced that both domestic and international tourists who need to go back home via Nairobi have until March 29 mid-day. Domestic flights will cease after the timeframe in the five counties.
"Tourists who are in transit into the country and are scheduled to visit offerings out of Nairobi can only do so until Monday 29 mid-day. Post that date, they will only be confined into Nairobi," Balala said.
