Kenya Airways has announced it will close its booking offices in Kisumu and Johannesburg South Africa on Monday, March 20, 2023.

In a statement, the company said the closure has been occasioned by the planned opposition protests in the two cities.

The offices will reopen on Tuesday, March 21.

"Kenya Airways (KQ) wishes to inform our customers that our town booking offices in Johannesburg, South Africa and Kisumu, Kenya, will remain closed on Monday 20, March 2023, and reopen on 21st March 2023 due to the anticipated protests in these cities.

"All our other offices within our network including the airport offices in Johannesburg and Kisumu will be operational. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the offices. The safety and well-being of our employees and customers are our highest priority," the statement reads. 

Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga is expected to lead demonstrations in Nairobi and other parts of the country to protest the high cost of living and alleged electoral injustice among other issues.

In South Africa, opposition leader Julius Malema has threatened to lead supporters in protests to push for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and improvement in the southern African nation's energy crisis.

Earlier, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki's warned that all protected areas in Kenya will be out of bounds tomorrow. 

In a statement, Kindiki said police officers shall prevent unauthorised access to all protected areas in the country, even as a section of Azimio supporters vowed to storm State House to "reclaim opposition leader's victory".

"It is hereby notified for information of the general public that pursuant to the Protected Areas Act (CAP 204 of the Laws of Kenya), security agencies shall prevent unauthorized access to all protected areas," CS Kindiki stated.

He cautioned Kenyans that while the constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and demonstration under Article 37, the said right is limited. By Naomi Njoroge, K24 Digital