Kenya signs air services agreement with Somalia

By Peter Ochieng

Kenya and Somalia have signed a bilateral air services agreement.

The agreement, according to Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen, allows designated airlines of each contracting party to operate 7 weekly frequencies for passenger flights on specified routes.

Additionally, designated cargo flights may operate unlimited frequencies.

"It has also been agreed that the Civil Aviation Authorities of the contracting parties shall cooperate in the enhancement of mutual engagements in the field of civil aviation, capacity building, personnel training and experience sharing," said Murkomen.

He signed the contract on behalf of Kenya, while Somalia Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Fardowsa Osman Egal, did it on behalf of her country.

"The agreement will be implemented administratively pending its full entry into force on the date of the last notification through diplomatic notes by one contracting party to the other upon fulfillment of internal legal procedures as per the treaty making and ratification Act of 2012," added Murkomen.

Kenya and Somalia are collaborating in various aspects, more so in the fight against Al Shabaab militants.