Members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) staged a boycott today during a public participation exercise at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), organized to discuss the Adani Group’s Privately Initiated Proposal for infrastructure improvements. The exercise was part of the government’s plan to address the airport’s capacity constraints through modernization projects.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema criticized the exercise as a mere validation of a single-sourced investor, arguing that the Adani Group’s onboarding could violate local contracting laws. Ndiema also expressed frustration over the lack of documentation provided to KAWU members prior to the event, which contributed to the union’s decision to boycott.
In response to the boycott, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) stated that KAWU members had not received the necessary documentation beforehand. Despite the protest, operations at JKIA and other airports continued normally. KAA assured travelers that contingency measures were in place to maintain smooth operations in the event of a strike.
The union’s leadership also highlighted the absence of further communication from the government aimed at resolving the situation. KAWU’s threat of a strike remains imminent if their demands are not addressed. A delegate conference is scheduled for Saturday, where the union will discuss the next steps and strategies.
The government is pressing for dialogue to address the concerns raised by KAWU and to ensure the successful implementation of the modernization projects aimed at expanding and improving JKIA’s infrastructure.