Diplomatic trouble is brewing between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the arrest and detention of two Kenya Airways (KQ) workers in its Kinshasa capital.

This is after KQ, in a statement on Friday morning, confirmed the detention incommunicado of its Kenyan airport office employees by officers from the Congolese military intelligence.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei has expressed Kenya’s ire and concern over the move saying the duo had not been engaging in any illegal activities within DRC territory.

“Kenya takes great exception to the arrest and detention of its nationals lawfully carrying out commercial activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo by authorities in DRC,” protested Sing'Oei in response to the incident.

The two Kenyans were reportedly apprehended by Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP) offices while on their official duties at the airport in Kinshasa on Friday.

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The circumstances surrounding their detention, and the nature of the cargo at the center of the simmering diplomatic spat, remain unclear as Kenya demands release of her nationals.

Sing’oei has vowed that Kenya is pursuing all necessary measures to ensure the rights of the duo is respected promising to keep the public in the loop on any developments in Kinshasa.

“Our Mission in Kinshasa is engaging actively on the matter. We shall update the public on developments touching on this issue,” said the Kenyan Foreign Affairs PS on Twitter.

He concluded: “The government reaffirms its commitment to protecting our citizens working abroad.”

As tensions persist, all eyes are on the diplomatic efforts underway to secure the release of the two Kenyans and to address underlying issues that have led to this diplomatic impasse.