On Tuesday night, long queues formed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as aviation workers launched a formal strike. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) had issued a strike notice on August 12, 2024, protesting the planned leasing of JKIA—Kenya’s main airport—to the Indian conglomerate Adani Group.
In the notice, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema expressed concerns that the JKIA-Adani deal could result in mass layoffs, the hiring of foreign workers, and deteriorating working conditions. The union also called for the resignation of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Board of Directors and three senior managers, accusing them of incompetence and mismanagement of the deal.
Additionally, the aviation workers demanded the resignation of two Kenya Airways security managers, citing accusations of human trafficking, sexual harassment, and unfair promotions within the department.
Despite KAWU’s demands, neither Kenya Airways nor the KAA have responded significantly. The strike has caused major flight disruptions, leaving many passengers stranded at the airport. KAWU maintains that the strike will continue unless the JKIA leasing deal is fully abandoned and the resignations of the KAA board, senior managers, and the two KQ security managers are met.
