Kenya’s airport workers’ union has called off a strike that grounded flights at the country’s main airport in Nairobi. The strike was in protest of a build-and-operate agreement between the Kenyan government and India’s Adani Group that would see the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport modernized and operated by the Indian company for 30 years. After a day-long negotiation, the union signed a return to work agreement and stated that they would be involved in all future discussions regarding the airport’s operations.
Transport Minister Davis Chirchir assured that the government would protect the interests of Kenyan citizens during the airport’s modernization. The strike caused chaos at the airport, with hundreds of passengers left stranded and flights delayed or canceled. The Kenya Airport Workers Union had raised concerns about job losses and inferior conditions of service for workers if the agreement with Adani Group went through. Kenya Airways also announced delays and possible cancellations due to the strike.
The strike affected local flights from cities like Mombasa and Kisumu, with reports of delays coming in from various media outlets. Police officers were seen taking over security check-in roles at the airport, causing long lines and confusion among passengers. The Kenya Airports Authority stated that they were working to normalize operations and advised passengers to contact their airlines for flight status updates. The Central Organization of Trade Unions’ secretary-general addressed journalists at the airport, stating that the strike could have been avoided if the government had listened to the workers’ concerns.
Prior to the strike, airport workers had threatened to walk off the job, but discussions with the government had postponed the action. Reports of unknown individuals moving around the airport and taking notes and photographs raised suspicions that the Indian firm was preparing for the deal. The High Court intervened on Monday, temporarily halting the implementation of the agreement until a case filed by the Law Society and the Kenya Human Rights Commission is heard. The situation at the airport remains uncertain as the parties involved continue to navigate the challenges surrounding the modernization project and the concerns of the workers.
