Kenya Airways told the committee that it was facing challenges accessing its money in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Malawi. Industry associations also identified Algeria, Zimbabwe and Russia as countries where airline revenues were being held. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), blocked airline funds reached $1.3 billion globally by March 2026, with African countries accounting for $774 million.
The national carrier did not disclose the exact amount of money being held abroad. However, it confirmed that foreign exchange restrictions were affecting its business and requested direct government intervention. The airline also proposed reciprocal restrictions against foreign airlines if diplomatic efforts failed to resolve the issue.
Following the submissions, the committee recommended that the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs engage the affected countries to remove barriers preventing airlines from transferring their earnings. It also directed the National Treasury to participate in negotiations involving financial and foreign exchange matters.
The recommendations require approval by the National Assembly before implementation. The report was scheduled for discussion in the House on November 12, 2026.
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