Nigerian Family Demands $1 Million Compensation From Kenya Airways Over Allegedly Botched Christmas Trip
A Nigerian family is demanding $1 million in general damages and compensation from Kenya Airways over an alleged mishandling of their Christmas travel plans, which left their daughter, a minor, stranded. Represented by Donald Ibebuike of Creed & Brooks Partners, the family accused the airline of causing emotional distress, financial losses, and disrupting their holiday.
In a letter dated December 21, 2024, addressed to the Managing Director of Kenya Airways in Lagos and copied to the Nairobi office, the family detailed their grievances. They stated that they purchased return tickets through Wakanow.com on August 31, 2024, for a Christmas and New Year trip to the United Kingdom.
On December 16, 2024, the family departed from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, with boarding passes issued after their travel documents were processed by Kenya Airways. However, upon arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, the airline allegedly refused to allow their daughter, Gabriella Ikhianosimeh Akhanemeh, to board the connecting flight to London due to “clerical errors” in her travel documents.
The family claimed that although the minor’s passport details were processed and accepted in Lagos, discrepancies flagged by the UK Border Agency in Nairobi caused the issue. They argued that the airline should have resolved the clerical error instead of leaving their daughter stranded.
As a result, the father, Mr. Akhanemeh Joseph Osikhena, stayed behind in Nairobi to attend to his daughter, while his wife and two other children continued to London. The family further alleged that Kenya Airways demanded over $4,000 for the father and daughter to return to Lagos, calling the demand “infamous and ill-conceived.”
The family’s lawyer demanded that Kenya Airways either ensure the completion of their journey to London or return them to Lagos at no additional cost, along with paying $1 million in damages within seven days.
The letter warned that failure to meet these demands would lead to legal action. As of the time of this report, Kenya Airways had not issued a response to the allegations.
