This archive report was first published on 24 December 2019.
Jambojet Embroiled in Racism Scandal ¶
December 23, 2019, marked a chaotic day for Jambojet, Kenya's budget airline, as allegations of racism surfaced. The incident began when flight number 8604, scheduled to depart Nairobi for Mombasa at 10:00 AM, was delayed for over 12 hours.
Passengers took to social media to express their frustration, with many claiming they were unfairly treated due to their skin color. According to reports, white passengers were quickly rebooked onto other flights, while black passengers were left to wait or book alternative flights.
Jambojet denied the allegations, stating that the delay was due to an aircraft being stuck on the runway in Mombasa. However, their response only sparked further backlash, with passengers sharing their own experiences of being discriminated against.
One passenger, Mitchelson, claimed that families with children were left stranded on the cold floor for hours, with no verbal apology or explanation from the airline. Another passenger, Stella Muraguri, accused Jambojet of lying to look good on social media while its passengers suffered.
The incident has sparked a wider debate on racism in Kenya, with many calling for the airline to take responsibility for its actions. As one Twitter user noted, 'The level of deals to be snuck into flights weh. They lied from 10 about a military operation, then Said the captains are too tired to it's technical issues.'
As the story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Jambojet's handling of the situation has left a sour taste in the mouths of many Kenyans.
