Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has said they will tackle Kenya Airways perennial challenges head-on instead of sweeping them under the carpet.
In a statement, Murkomen said instead of glossing over and whitewashing the deep-seated problems at Kenya Airways "we believe that time has come for us to confront and resolve these problems once and for all."
"The people of Kenya are neither happy nor willing to continue subsidising Kenya Airways and we have heard their voice loud and clear," he said.
The CS however urged the pilots to be part of the solution by working with them to resolve the issues.
"We respect workers’ rights and the role of KALPA as a representative of the pilots in agitating for better terms.
"However, this must be done within the confines of the law and must take into consideration the prevailing economic circumstances both in the company and the country," he said.
Murkomen asked KALPA to urgently reconsider their position and come back to the negotiating table.
He said the government of Kenya conveys its apologies to all travellers and transporters affected by the ongoing Kenya Airways pilot strike.
"From the onset, the government has expressed interest in the well-being of Kenya Airways as one of the strategic companies in a very critical economic sector.
"As a result, the government has in the last three years injected more than Sh60 billion to keep the company afloat," the CS said.
Murkomen said considering the defiance of KALPA and their total disregard for the existing court order, which is at the heart of the rule of law, the Ministry of Labour has to activate the procedures governing industrial relations.
"I urge the pilots to be mindful of the consequences of defying a court order and to urgently return to work because impunity cannot be an option."
He said his administration has been working on a plan to turn around Kenya Airways.
The plan, he said, is contingent on the capitalisation of the airline and nurturing it back as a listed company at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
