The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a massive investigation to determine the circumstances that have led to massive losses at Kenya’s national carrier – Kenya Airways.

The first phase of investigations is being headed by the DCI’s head of Banking Fraud Investigations Unit, Abdallah Komesha and seeks to unearth possible criminality in the procurement of engines and aircraft in the financial years 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.

In a letter addressed to the KQ managing director, Komesha has demanded for several documents that will help detectives get a clear picture of the activities that have seen the airline lose a total of Sh97 billion over the past six years.

Among the documents demanded include the company’s procurement guidelines and plans since 2015, the company’s budget plan, documents relating to the tenders awarded in the past four years, and information on members of tender committees in the past four years.

Minutes of the tender committees, information board members and management structure at KQ, and all documents on payment of tenders and contracts have also been demanded.

Last month, KQ announced a half pretax loss of Sh8.56 billion, bringing its total losses to Sh97.8 billion over the past six years.