The employees at Kenya’s main airport have called off their day-long strike, which had left thousands of passengers stranded due to canceled or delayed flights. The strike was resolved after an agreement was reached between the workers, the management, and the umbrella trade union organization, brokered by Ministry of Transport officials. Transport Minister Davis Chirchir confirmed that an agreement had been made on a return-to-work formula to end the strike.
The strike was initiated by members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWI) in response to a planned takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Indian firm Adani. The union opposed the government’s plan to lease the airport to Adani for 30 years in exchange for a $1.85 billion investment. KAWI leader Moss Ndiema stated that they had not accepted the deal yet and that they would have veto powers and their signature would be required for the process to move forward.
Francis Atwoli, secretary general of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, mentioned that they would review the documents of the investment deal within 10 days and address any concerns before making a final decision. He assured that no worker would be penalized for participating in the strike. The walkout by the aviation workers severely impacted flight operations at JKIA, with delays and cancellations reported during the strike.
Critics of the Adani deal argue that it could lead to job losses for local staff and deprive taxpayers of future airport profits. The airport’s revenue from freight and passenger fees accounts for over five percent of Kenya’s GDP. The government defended the deal as necessary to refurbish JKIA, and the terms of the agreement were still under negotiation. All aspects of the proposal were subject to negotiation, according to a government spokesperson.
JKIA is a crucial airport in Kenya, handling millions of passengers and cargo annually. The airport faces challenges such as power outages and leaking roofs, prompting the need for upgrades and expansion. Adani’s proposal includes adding a second runway and enhancing the passenger terminal, as per the Kenya Airports Authority. Tourism, a vital sector of the Kenyan economy, heavily relies on JKIA for international travel.
The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the Adani deal and secured a delay from the High Court pending a final verdict. The date for a final decision on the controversial airport lease has yet to be determined. The resolution of the strike at JKIA marks a temporary relief for passengers and the aviation industry, pending further developments in the negotiation of the Adani deal.
