Kenya’s airport workers’ union has called off a strike that saw flight Disruptions in the country’s main airport JKIA.

• Kenya Airport Workers Union (KAWU) said it had reached an agreement with the government on the deal with India’s Adani Group.
• KAWU secretary general Moses Ndiema urged the workers to return to work, promising them an update.
• The decision came after a day-long talks between the union leaders and the government.
• The strike, which began on Tuesday night, crippled operations at the busy international airport
• Workers protested against a controversial takeover deal that would see the facility leased to a foreign investor.

Kenya’s airport workers’ union has called off a strike that grounded flights in the country’s main airport on Wednesday over awarding the contract for its modernization and operations to an Indian firm.

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Airways and Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) have agreed to resume work and expedite Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations following a meeting on Wednesday, September 11.

The move comes after workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) staged a go-slow in response to a proposed deal to lease the main airport to Adani Group, disrupting travellers departing from the country.

• The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) issued a strike notice on August 12, opposing the proposed lease of JKIA to the Indian conglomerate Adani Group. 
• The union argues that the deal which remains a secret would lead to massive layoffs, poor working conditions, and the introduction of foreign workers.

Addressing the media, Union Secretary General Moses Ndiema announced that operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will resume. The strike, which caused significant disruptions, was resolved after negotiations facilitated by Francis Atwoli, head of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU).

Kenya Airways (KQ) had to announce delays and flight cancellations due to the strike by staff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), protesting the planned lease of the airport to the Adani Group.

The workers were protesting a build-and-operate agreement between the Kenyan government and India’s Adani Group that would see the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport modernized, and an additional runway and terminal constructed, in exchange for the group running the airport for 30 years.

Thousands of passengers were left stranded on Wednesday after aviation workers at three major airports downed tools over a constroversial airport lease deal.

On the chaotic situation there, the Kenya Airports Authority said in a statement that it was “engaging relevant parties to normalize operations” and urged passengers to contact their respective airlines to confirm flight status.

The meeting, chaired by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, included KAA Managing Director Alex Gitari, Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema and Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli.

KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema said,

"Now we have ended the strike. We have been here since the day before yesterday and even I haven’t bathed. If this airport were better, we would have warm water to bathe and hotels where you could be taken to eat, but it’s okay. We will manage as the less fortunate. Nobody should harass you."

 "We have received the most pertinent documents as requested by the Union. We undertake to go through them within 10 working days and flag out areas of our concern," said a statement signed by the parties.

The strike affected operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Moi International Airport in Mombasa, and Eldoret International Airport, disrupting both domestic and international flights.

The protests against the planned leasing of JKIA, the country's main airport and a key regional hub, brought business to a standstill for most part of the day, with long queues of frustrated travelers forming at affected airports.

The strike, which began late Tuesday night, prompted several airlines to suspend their flights to and from JKIA, a key aviation hub.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) led the protests citing concerns about job losses should Adani Group take over JKIA operations.

Earlier Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli expressed full support for striking airport workers criticizing the government for failure to address their grievances on time.

"We support this strike because the government has failed to address the workers' concerns," Atwoli said, blaming "arrogant ministers" for the escalating situation.

He noted that he sought clarity from government officials months ago but received no proper response.

KAWU has continuously opposed the PPP model of operation allowing Adani to manage JKIA. Earlier, Ndiema had reiterated the Union’s determination to halt the project and called for an immediate cessation of all ongoing stakeholder engagements.

The controversy gained attention on July 28, 2024, when President William Ruto defended the government's decision to lease JKIA under the PPP model.

He highlighted the need for investment to modernise the airport and improve its services to better serve Kenyans. That time, he said:

“Let's be honest, Kenyans. The airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas. This is a temporary structure we built almost seven years ago. Ethiopia has a brand-new airport, and Rwanda has the same. It is the reason why we need to work with investors to have a new airport in Nairobi,” Ruto said.

Display Picture : Kenya Airports Authority (KAA)

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