Kenya Airways has introduced breathalyzer tests popularly know as “alcoblow” for its staff in a bid to tame drug usage.
In a memo dated April 25, 2017, and signed by the airline’s Acting Human Resources Director Lucy Muhiu, they have the go-ahead from Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to carry out the random testing for alcohol and psychoactive substances.
“This is to advise all staff that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has approved our Alcohol and Psychoactive Substance Policy.
An extract of the policy is here attached. Consequently, the company will embark on random testing of its staff and contracted personnel in a bid to ensure that we comply with Legal and HR policy provisions on alcohol and psychoactive substances,” reads the directive in part as told by the Standard.
In the recent past, KQ staff including some cabin crew have been arrested and detained in the recent past over alleged drug trafficking.
Some have had to be deported back to the country over drug related offenses which put out a bad name of one of East Africa’s prestigious airlines.
The tests will also be mandatory for all contracted KQ contracted personnel.
By carrying out the random drug tests, the airline seeks to comply with provisions of Kenya Civil Aviation Regulations (KCARs) which stipulate that anyone within KQ premises should be on safe grounds free from drugs.