Kenya Airways is facing a substantial claim for damages and compensation from a Nigerian family over the alleged mishandling of their Christmas travel plans. According to reports in Nigerian media, the Ksh 129 million (US$1 million) claim stems from an incident involving their minor daughter, who was reportedly denied boarding during a layover in Nairobi due to a clerical error, despite having her travel documents approved in Lagos.
Through their lawyer, Donald Ibebuike of Creed & Brooks Partners, the family describes the airline’s actions as causing emotional distress, unplanned expenses, and disruption of their holiday plans. A letter sent to Kenya Airways on December 21 states that the family had purchased return tickets in August through Wakanow.com for a Christmas and New Year trip to the United Kingdom.
The journey began on December 16, with a planned itinerary involving a stopover at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before continuing to London. However, at the Nairobi stopover, the airline reportedly refused to allow the minor, Gabriella Akhanemeh, to board the onward flight due to minor discrepancies in passport numbers, despite her name being correctly listed.
Her father, Akhanememeh Joseph Osikhena, was forced to abandon the trip and stay with her in Nairobi, while his wife and two other children continued to London. The family claims Kenya Airways later required them to pay over US$4,000 for their return to Nigeria, a demand the lawyer described as ill-conceived and traumatic, thenigerianlawyer.com reports.
The family is demanding the airline either complete the journey to London for the father and daughter or return them to Lagos at no additional cost, alongside the US$1 million compensation for the ordeal.
They argue that the clerical error, which had been accepted by the UK Border Agency, was no justification for abandoning the minor. “Take notice that, owing to this and other associated reasons, our client has instructed us to demand… immediate reparation,” the letter reads.
The law firm has given the airline seven days to comply with the demands, emphasising that justice must be served. Kenya Airways has yet to respond to the allegations, according to various Nigerian news outlets.
