A strike by workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya’s main international hub, has caused significant flight delays and cancellations for both incoming and outgoing passengers, according to Kenya Airways on Wednesday.
The strike is in response to a proposed 30-year lease agreement with India’s Adani Group, which has sparked concerns among aviation workers.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), the largest union representing the country’s aviation employees, organized the strike, voicing opposition to the deal announced in July. Union leaders argue that the agreement, which would involve Adani Group upgrading the airport, could lead to job losses and the displacement of Kenyan workers by foreign employees.
On Wednesday morning, local media footage showed dozens of airport staff protesting by blowing plastic trumpets and chanting “Adani must go.” In one clip aired by Citizen TV, a police officer was seen using a baton to hit a protester, highlighting the tensions on the ground.
Kenya’s government has defended the potential partnership, stating that the airport is currently operating above capacity and is in urgent need of modernization. However, officials emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding the lease, which they describe as a proposed public-private partnership aimed at upgrading JKIA.
By 7:00 am local time (0400 GMT), the Kenya Airports Authority reported that minimal operations had resumed at JKIA. Authorities were working with all relevant stakeholders to restore normal services at the airport, which is a crucial hub for international and regional travel.
Social media platforms were flooded with images and videos of the impact, with footage on X (formerly Twitter) showing long lines of passengers stranded outside the airport’s single terminal after the strike began at midnight on Tuesday.
The strike has since spread to regional airports in Kisumu and Mombasa, according to reports from Kenya’s Nation newspaper. These developments add to the growing disruption in the country’s aviation sector.
Earlier this week, Kenya’s high court temporarily blocked the Adani lease proposal to allow for a judicial review after concerns were raised. The proposed deal includes plans for the Indian conglomerate to build a new runway and upgrade the passenger terminal, but opposition to the agreement remains strong among aviation workers.
With input from Reuters.
