This archive report was first published on 20 August 2021.
Published on August 20, 2021, the Kenya Association of Air Operators (Kaao) has called on the government to treat domestic air travellers the same way as those using rail and road transport.
According to Kaao, the current Covid-19 requirements for domestic air travellers are cumbersome and causing snarl-ups at airports. The association argues that the process is counterproductive, as travellers using other modes of transport are not subjected to similar requirements.
Domestic air travellers are required to lodge their information using a mobile travel locator app, named Jitenge, which was introduced last year for international travellers. However, Kaao executive secretary Eutychus Waithaka says the use of Jitenge among domestic air travellers has led to slow clearance at airports.
Waithaka stated, 'It is our considered view that Jitenge is only effective as a contact tracing mechanism if it is applied on everyone travelling around Kenya and not just for air transport passengers as this is clearly discriminatory.'
Trains and public service vehicles are now operating at full capacity, ferrying much larger numbers than air transport, yet their passengers are not required to use the app. Waithaka noted that the app may be working for people entering Kenya, but it is not effective for Kenyans moving from one town to another.
