Two Kenyan cabin crew members working for Dubai-based airline flydubai have received one of the United Arab Emirates' highest civilian honours for their actions during a frightening mid-air emergency last month.

David Kimotho and John Muchina were awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II, approved by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the medals at a ceremony on Tuesday, October 27.

What happened on flight FZ1073

The flight, a Boeing 737 Max carrying 174 people, left Dubai for Tel Aviv on September 30. Midway through the journey, the first officer allegedly attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, leaving him seriously injured. The Eastleigh Voice reported that the aircraft dropped sharply during the struggle.

Crew members and passengers regained control of the cockpit and the plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia. The captain was treated in Tabuk before being moved to Abu Dhabi for further care. The first officer was taken into custody; no details of any charges have been made public.

The Kenyans' role

According to Kenyans.co.ke and the Eastleigh Voice, Kimotho and Muchina helped attend to the wounded captain and worked to keep panicked passengers calm and orderly while the situation was brought under control.

A video from the flight, cited by Kenyans.co.ke, showed one of the crew speaking in Kiswahili as he asked a colleague to check whether the pilot was responsive, a detail that quickly spread among Kenyans online.

A rare honour

The Order of Zayed II is a high-level decoration the UAE President awards for distinguished service and courage. An official at the ceremony said it recognised the "outstanding courage, bravery and determination of Flydubai staff and crew members on 30th September, 2026."

Captain Machchhar and other flydubai staff involved in the emergency were also decorated. The ceremony was attended by senior UAE figures, among them Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

Pride at home

The award has been widely celebrated in Kenya, where thousands of nationals work in the Gulf's aviation and hospitality sectors. For many, the recognition offers a positive story about Kenyan workers abroad, who more often make headlines over labour abuses.

There was no public reaction from the Kenyan government or the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in the reports seen by Wednesday evening.

Photos: UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs via Kenyans.co.ke; The Eastleigh Voice. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.