Why Dubai Banned All Inbound and Transit Passenger Flights from Kenya

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) says Dubai banned all inbound and transit passenger flights from Kenya due to fake Covid-19 test results.

KCAA director-general Gilbert Kibe told the Business Daily that many travelers arriving in Dubai from Nairobi tested positive for coronavirus despite carrying negative test results.

It emerged that rogue Ministry of Health officials were colluding with travelers to issue fake Covid-19 PCR results to aid travel to the Gulf state.

“They banned flights from Kenya due to many false negative Covid-19 PCR results,” Kibe said.

“Ministry of Health is investigating and will report findings soon. Several other African countries were red-listed as well.”

Kibe disclosed that Dubai health authorities detected up to 20 cases of false Covid-19 PCR results per day among travelers from Kenya.

The UAE was forced to impose a travel ban on Kenya after health officials discovered 73 cases of Covid-19 negative tests that were fake, Kibe added.

Kibe said the culprits will be arrested and prosecuted once the ongoing probe on the issuance of the fake Covid-19 clearance documents is concluded. "Yes, culprits shall be apprehended after investigations," he said.

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) initially announced a 48-hour ban on all inbound flights from Kenya on December 20th, 2021.

The ban, which did not affect cargo freights and passenger flights from Dubai to Nairobi, was later extended until further notice.