Kenya Airways Honours Senior Flight Attendant With Water Cannon Salute On Her Retirement: "38 Years In Skies"

• Alice Waweru, Kenya Airways's cabin crew member, announced her retirement after nearly 38 years in the company
• The airline mounted a ceremonial water cannon salute which took her by surprise as she was gifted a bouquet on her final day
• As she exited, she delivered an emotional speech, appreciating Kenya Airways for the opportunity to work with them and prepare her for the next chapter of her life

Kenya Airways (KQ), has celebrated one of its finest employees as she retires.

Flight purser Alice Waweru finally hung her boots after 38 years of a successful career with the carrier.

KQ flights to New York

She enjoyed her final flight as a cabin crew member to John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States.

"After nearly 38 years in the skies, flight purser Alice Waweru concluded her remarkable journey with the Pride of Africa. Her tenure as a cabin crew ended with a final flight to JFK, New York.

To honour her for her exemplary service, we mounted a ceremonial water cannon salute which took her by surprise," the company shared on their page.

KQ cabin crew member delivers speech

Family and friends joined the lovely lady as they shared heartwarming moments and celebrated her success.

She was gifted a beautiful bouquet as a token of appreciation for the job well done and warm hugs on her final day at work.

"I am so speechless right now. My journey at KQ has been marked by self-development, and now I stand ready for this new chapter and the exploration of new frontiers," Waweru emotionally said.

Netizens' reactions

Social media users joined the appreciation bandwagon as they congratulated and wished her all the best.

Vivian Khisa:

"She was one of the best. Congratulations Alice! May God bless you as you begin your new chapter."

Jacinta Wangui Njihia:

"Congratulations, Auntie Ali..wow that's awesome. 38 years of dedicated service! .....now we get to see and enjoy your company more."

Martoh Muriithi:

"This was great such honours don’t come easy at all. She served the country through its airline flagship with diligence. We celebrate her."

Bonny Kamadi Bon Eye:

"Thank you, Alice and thank you Kenya Airways for everything you have done to appreciate her. Hope she can be part of the KQ community to utilise her experience to the new entries."

KQ to miss out on investors

Separately, KQ's KSh 188 billion debt scared away potential investors.

The airline's debt hit KSh 187.74 billion as of the end of May 2023 as the company continued to make losses.

KQ chief executive officer Allan Kilavuka acknowledged the impact of the debt on the airlines' development, as noted by Business Insider.

Kilavuka noted that investors expressed confidence in the national carriers' fundamentals but feared its heavy debt.