Kenya Airways launches UN-backed policy to combat human trafficking

Kenya Airways on Monday launched its trafficking in persons (TIP) policy and public awareness campaign in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), reported Xinhua.

Hellen Mwariri Mathuka, the chief financial officer of Kenya Airways, told journalists in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that the policy outlines the airline's stand and actions against human trafficking that are geared toward the elimination of the exploitation of human beings and modern slavery.

"We have invested in capacity building programs to give our employees the tools to identify and report suspected cases of human trafficking because we recognize that our employees at the airport and on flights are uniquely positioned to look out for this type of crime," Mathuka said.

She noted that Kenya Airways connects Kenya to the rest of Africa and the world through its vast network, which should only be used for good and to advance the development of Africa.

Maria Temesvari, deputy regional representative for eastern Africa at UNODC, said it provided technical support for the development of the policy that will further enhance Kenya's capacity in combating human trafficking as well as increasing the number of detections and investigations related to the vice.

Temesvari said the policy identifies the correct procedures for airline cabin crew to follow when faced with potential trafficking victims on their flights.

Kipchumba Murkomen, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Public Works, said the Kenya Airways policy provides action points that have protected its systems from being misused to facilitate the transportation of human trafficking victims.