Kenyan digital creator Naomi Kuria has appealed for help after an abrupt airline shutdown left her stranded abroad and struggling to secure an alternative flight back to Nairobi.
In a video shared on Instagram alongside fellow content creator Diana Daisy, Naomi revealed that her scheduled return flight was unexpectedly cancelled following the closure of the airline she had booked.
The shutdown is reportedly linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has disrupted travel operations in several regions.
“This airline closure is affecting me. I’m supposed to fly back to Nairobi by the end of this week,” Naomi said in the video. “They say it is closed and if you want to initiate a refund, maybe you may travel with another airline.”
However, finding an alternative flight has proven both difficult and expensive. According to the duo, Ethiopian Airlines is charging over $1,000 (approximately KSh129,000) for a one-way ticket. On the other hand, Kenya Airways reportedly does not operate direct routes from their current location.
Diana Daisy explained that opting for Kenya Airways would require them to transit through another country, which would mean applying for a transit visa.
“We need to apply for a visa and I don’t know how long it will take,” she said.
The appeal for assistance comes just days after the two creators disclosed that they had previously been detained at immigration at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
Naomi recounted the tense experience, saying they had provided all required documents, including return tickets and hotel details, before being asked to step aside by an immigration officer.
“We had provided everything. Then the guy was like, ‘Please come with me.’ I was scared. I only see these things in documentaries,” she said.
Diana later clarified that immigration questioning can sometimes be routine, especially for first-time travelers.
She explained that officials often verify travelers’ financial capability to sustain themselves during their stay. The duo was eventually cleared to proceed.
Naomi has previously made headlines after defending Muthee Kiengei for hosting William Ruto at his church, urging critics to respect individual choices.
“Not everyone you see with the President is a bad person. Allow people to make their choices,” she stated at the time.
Despite the recent travel challenges, Naomi remains optimistic that she will find a solution and return safely to Kenya.
Tags
News