Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) saw a significant easing of disruptions as aviation workers ended their strike on Wednesday evening. The walkout, which commenced the previous day, was driven by concerns over the proposed takeover of the airport by the Adani Group.
The workers, represented by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), strongly opposed the deal, leading to flight delays and operational disruptions.
The strike was abruptly halted following successful negotiations between the workers and the government, facilitated by the Ministry of Roads and Transport. Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, along with other senior officials, including PS for Transport KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema and Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, held a critical meeting at the airport on Wednesday afternoon.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir highlighted challenges Kenyans passed through during el- nino times at JKIA. “We all agree that we need a new airport, a new investment that will serve every one. When visitors arrive, during the El Nino you all appreciate how the whole place was leaking. We need the kind of airports we see in developed economies to be able to create the kind of opportunities by attracting more visitors to our country”
However the agreement reached stipulates that aviation workers will have veto power over the Adani deal. This means that no final agreement will be signed by the government without the explicit approval of KAWU. The workers were also granted access to official documents related to the proposed deal, which they will review over the next 10 working days. Concerns or objections will be addressed through discussions involving the government, Kenya Airways, and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli emphasized that the workers’ concerns would be reviewed in a timely manner, with a commitment to convene a meeting following the 10-day review period. Atwoli assured that no final agreements would be reached without KAWU’s concurrence.
“We have received the most pertinent documents as requested by the union. We undertake to go through them within ten working days and flag out areas of our concern which shall immediately be pointed out with a view of jointly engaging in discussion with Government KQ and KAA” he said
Additionally, the agreement includes a commitment to fast-track the negotiation of pending Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) within the next two months. KAA Acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye pledged to engage with union officials and assured that no worker would face victimization due to the strike.
Ndiema urged airport workers to return to their duties and called on the government not to victimize anyone who participated in the industrial action.
“No worker should be harassed. They should be treated well and given ample time to return to work,” he said.
The earlier court case filed by KAA against the union regarding the strike notice from August 12, 2024, is expected to be withdrawn. Atwoli stated that the court process would be used to ensure transparency and clarity regarding the development of this significant national infrastructure.
Key figures present at the meeting included Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, Permanent Secretary Mohammed Daghar, Kenya Airways Group CEO Allan Kilavuka, KAA Acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye, and various KAWU representatives including Moss Ndiema, Robert Lichoro, Daniel Yatich, Walter Ongeri, and Dorcas Makena.
The resolution of this dispute marks a critical moment for JKIA, as it continues to be a key focus of negotiations and stakeholder engagement in Kenya’s aviation sector.