Digital creator Naomi Kuria has appealed for help after an abrupt airline closure — occassioned by Middle East crisis — left her stranded abroad and racing against time to secure a flight back to Nairobi.
In a video shared on Instagram alongside fellow content creator Diana Daisy, Naomi explained that her scheduled return flight had been cancelled following the shutdown of the airline she had booked.
“This airline closure is affecting me. I’m supposed to fly back to Nairobi within the end of this week,” she said. “They say it is closed and if you want to initiate a refund, maybe you may travel with another airline.”
However, securing an alternative flight has proven difficult and costly. According to the duo, Ethiopian Airlines is charging “a thousand dollars plus” (which approximates to KSh129,200) for a one-way ticket, while Kenya Airways does not operate direct routes from their current location.
“For you to get in Ethiopian Airlines, you need a thousand dollars plus. And that is just one way,” Daisy lamented.
She further noted that opting for Kenya Airways would require transiting through a country that demands a transit visa.
“We need to apply for a visa and I don’t know how long it will take,” she added.
Calling on her followers for assistance, she said, “I really need help to navigate this whole situation, please comment down below and also DM us.”
The travel setback comes just days after the pair disclosed they had been detained at immigration at Jakarta airport.
Naomi recounted the ordeal, saying, “We had provided everything, our tickets, hotel details, return ticket to Malaysia. Then the guy was like, ‘Please come with me.’”
She admitted feeling frightened during the experience. “I’m scared I only see these things in documentaries on TV,” she said.
Diana later clarified that such questioning can be routine, especially for first-time travelers. “They really want to see your bank balance, to understand if you have enough money to take care of yourself,” she explained, adding that they were eventually cleared.
Previously, Naomi also faced online backlash after defending Bishop Muthee Kiengei for hosting President William Ruto in his church, urging critics to “allow people to have freedom in their choices.”
“Not everyone you see with the President is a bad person, allow people make their choices.”
Despite the recent turbulence, Naomi remains hopeful that a solution will emerge in time for her to return home.
