Kalonzo was asked by airport staff to follow the normal procedure and be frisked but his aides acted on time to safe him the embarrassment. However his luggage was screened as staff became adamant on checking the contents of the bags.
The aides spoke to the Emirates Airline officials who gave him an express pass that allows one to access its lounge without passing through the metal detectors and other travel clearance procedure.
“He (Kalonzo) arrived at 9pm and was directed to follow the normal procedures but we spoke to Emirates who gave us an express pass for his usage. He was later ushered to the Emirates first class lounge to wait for his flight which was due at 10.50pm,” the aide said.
Kalonzo was headed to China where he will attend a Forum for Chinese Entrepreneurs and he will be in Beijing for four days, one day in Hong Kong before spending a night in Dubai. He is expected back in Kenya by Saturday.
Ironically, as he landed in Dubai, Kalonzo was accorded a VIP reception as he waited to transit with a similar fate awaiting him in Beijing. Aides who spoke to The Standard on phone from China said that the former VP had landed safely and accorded VIP treatment.
Last week, there was outrage after Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) officials barred Raila from accessing VIP Lounge III as he flew to Kisumu on Monday morning and Johannesburg on Tuesday night (READ: Raila Made to Remove Shoes, Belt at JKIA On Trip to South Africa).
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) later sent a statement clarifying that Raila and other VIPs have unlimited access to the Government lounge normally reserved for Ambassadors and Government VIPs.
JKIA has three VIP Lounges – the State Pavilion for the President of Kenya and visiting Heads of State, the VIP III Lounge for the Deputy President of Kenya and Retired heads of state, according to KAA.
Leader of Majority Adan Duale consequently apologized on behalf of Government in parliament over the CORD leader’s agony saying the state recognises and will respect Raila Odinga as the country’s former Prime Minister.
The CORD leaders' predicament of being barred from facilities which only three months ago was available to them emanates from a letter written by the Secretary to cabinet Francis Kimemia early last month warning state officers that they will face disciplinary and summary dismissal for nay breach to the memo.
Kimemia’s letter, which was curiously copied to Deputy President William Ruto and not President Uhuru Kenyatta, was prompted by a similar incident when Raila was denied entry into VIP lounge at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
He directed KAA that the only exemption will be those cleared by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in liaison with the Office of the President and that other retired Government of Kenya VIPs should be allowed you transit through the Government lounge.
“It has been directed that any breaches to these procedures will occasion immediate severe disciplinary action including summary dismissal,” the 9th May 2013 letter states.
- The Standard
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