Hundreds of travellers were left stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after airport workers went on strike, protesting the government’s plans to lease the facility to Indian company Adani Enterprises. The strike, organized by the Kenya Airport Workers Union (Kawu), began at midnight on Wednesday, following stalled negotiations with the government over the proposed 30-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.
Kawu Secretary General Moss Ndiema expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of transparency, stating that workers had not been provided with the necessary documents regarding the deal. Key concerns include the presence of Adani employees at the airport, reportedly conducting assessments and taking photographs, which workers believe are linked to the lease agreement.
Flights were delayed and cancelled as operations came to a standstill, causing long queues and widespread disruption. Although the union later agreed to return to work after receiving assurances that the deal would not proceed without their approval, workers remain skeptical. The government insists that the airport, operating beyond capacity, requires private investment to fund essential upgrades, including the construction of a second runway and a new passenger terminal.
The strike underscores the workers’ fears of potential job losses and the opaque nature of the deal, with the union vowing to continue monitoring the situation closely. Normal operations are expected to resume soon following the resolution of the strike.
