Nigeria sanctions KQ over passenger who threw 3 used sanitary towels at staff at JKIA
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has sanctioned national carrier Kenya Airways(KQ) over the violation of consumer protection law.
This is following a viral video in February 2025, of a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, who was travelling from Lagos to Manchester (via Paris), had a confrontation with a KQ staff member at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Nairobi after learning she didn’t have the required French visa for her layover.
This led to a heated argument with Kenya Airways’ personnel after she was offered a flight to London as an alternative and threw three used sanitary napkins at her.
Following the altercation, the NCAA announced a decision to penalise the national carrier.
“Our attention has been drawn to several cases of inhuman treatment of Nigerian passengers in Nairobi by @KenyaAirways,” Tunde Moshood, special adviser to the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, said.
Kenya Airways
In response, Kenya Airways stated that the viral clip “does not provide full context” of the situation, asserting that its staff acted in line with standard immigration policies.
While acknowledging the frustration that comes with travel disruptions, the national carrier emphasized that it is the responsibility of passengers to ensure they possess all necessary documentation before departure.
“Unhappy with this option, the guest demanded accommodation, which Kenya Airways does not provide in cases where boarding is denied due to visa requirements,” the airline said.
“In a distressing turn of events, the guest resorted to inappropriate behaviour by removing and throwing three used sanitary pads at our employees. We strongly condemn such conduct.”
Kenya Airways said that the incident has been reported to the relevant security agencies and is currently under investigation.
Sanction
In a statement on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, Michael Achimungu, has also confirmed issuing a seven-day ultimatum to the airline to pay refunds and compensate affected passengers.
“The penalties are for consumer protection-related infractions, including right to care, failure to provide full disclosure of terms of carriage, failure to respond to the Authority’s request, failure to process refund and compensation, and lost baggage,” the statement read in part.
“In addition to the fine in line with the NCAA Regulations 2023, the airline has seven days to pay the refunds and compensation of 1000 special drawing rights to the affected passengers,” he said.
Further, he noted that the airline would face stiffer penalties if it fails to comply with the directive.
