Kenya Airport Strike Ends After Union Reaches Accord with Government

Kenya’s major international airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, resumed normal operations on Wednesday after a workers’ strike that had halted flights. The Kenya Airport Workers’ Union called off the strike following a day of intense negotiations with the government over a controversial contract awarded to India’s Adani Group.

The dispute arose from a build-and-operate agreement between the Kenyan government and the Adani Group. The contract involves modernizing the airport, including the construction of a new runway and terminal, in exchange for the Indian firm managing the airport for the next 30 years. Union leaders opposed the deal, arguing it would lead to job losses and deteriorate employment conditions for remaining workers.

In a statement on X, the union confirmed that a return-to-work agreement had been signed. Moss Ndiema, the union’s Secretary General, assured journalists and workers that the union would be involved in all future discussions regarding the airport’s modernization. Despite the resolution, Ndiema emphasized that the union had not yet endorsed Adani’s involvement.

Transport Minister Davis Chirchir addressed the media, pledging that the government would safeguard the interests of Kenyan workers during the airport’s upgrade. He assured the public that the government remains committed to both modernizing the airport and protecting local employment.

The strike led to significant disruptions at the airport, with flights grounded and passengers stranded. Hundreds of workers demonstrated, causing delays in both domestic and international flights. Kenya Airways reported disruptions, including potential delays and cancellations, due to the strike. Local flights from cities such as Mombasa and Kisumu were particularly affected.

The situation at the airport was chaotic, with police officers stepping in to perform security check-in duties. Long lines formed outside departure terminals, and passengers faced uncertainty about their flight statuses. The Kenya Airports Authority urged travelers to contact their airlines for updates on flight schedules and confirmed they were working to normalize operations.

Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions, criticized the government’s initial handling of the dispute. He stated that the strike could have been avoided if the government had provided written assurances to workers regarding job security and protection of employment conditions. “This was a straightforward issue,” Atwoli said. “An assurance in writing from the government that our members would not lose their jobs would have prevented this entire situation.”

The conflict had escalated earlier in the week when workers threatened to strike but postponed their plans for further discussions with the government. Local media reported concerns about unidentified individuals taking notes and photographs of airport officials, raising suspicions that the Adani Group was preparing for the deal.

In response to the controversy, the High Court issued a temporary halt on the implementation of the contract on Monday. This decision came after a legal challenge from the Law Society and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, who filed a case questioning the terms and implications of the agreement.

With the strike now concluded, attention shifts to the ongoing discussions between the government, the workers’ union, and the Adani Group. The resolution of these talks will be crucial in determining the future of the airport’s modernization and the impact on local employment.