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Nairobi, Kenya, July 21, 2024 /ChatnewsTV/ —A passenger was forcibly removed from an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Nairobi late last night to make way for a government minister, sparking a wave of outrage on social media.
The incident, which occurred around 11:30 PM on Saturday, left the offloaded passenger screaming in protest as airline staff acted without offering an apology. According to CNN’s Larry Madowo, who reported the event on X (formerly Twitter), the minister sat idly by as the drama unfolded, refusing to intervene.
“I had fallen asleep and was woken up by the commotion,” Madowo shared. “The minister saw her fighting and he just sat there.”
As the incident gained traction online, users expressed their dismay and anger over the blatant display of privilege and disregard for ordinary passengers.
“Kicking out a passenger for the sake of privilege is blatant discrimination and a stain on Ethiopian Airlines’ reputation,” wrote @GatimuMuchai. “When an airline prioritizes power over people, it loses its integrity. Respect & dignity should never be compromised for status! Shame on you.”
Another user, @Chimacoeche, criticized the political leadership, saying, “The kind of leaders we have in Africa, let’s leave Ethiopian Airlines for politicians then.”
@kiragu_maina_ targeted the airline’s staff, stating, “Shame on the staff. They should have told off the minister.”
Expressing frustration over the misuse of power, @akech_andrew commented, “First mistake is the minister delaying to book and just because he knows he will be given VIP treatment is the reason why leadership has been misused in Africa. We need to stop!!”
While, @farhiyaabass questioned the minister’s actions, noting, “That is disgraceful and lack of respect for their passengers. If the minister is so important, why didn’t he take a private jet?”
The controversy highlights ongoing issues of privilege and power abuse within the African continent, with the incident at Ethiopian Airlines serving as a stark reminder of the disparity between ordinary citizens and the political elite.
The passenger who was removed has yet to be identified, and Ethiopian Airlines has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. As the backlash grows, many are calling for accountability and changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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By Gabriel Ani
