Even as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) confirmed that the strike began at midnight, a few travelers who spoke with local media said the airport was at a complete standstill. Anger erupted when boarding and takeoff were delayed, leaving long lines of stranded passengers.
Since last month, KAWU has been waging a strike in protest of the proposed leasing of JKIA to the Indian conglomerate Adani Group. The strike has been escalating for several weeks. It also came after the union and government officials’ negotiations broke down. Over the past few weeks, aviation workers have expressed their opposition to the proposed lease of Jkia to the Indian airport operator, Adani Group.
The company, according to the government, will only spend money on renovating JKIA’s current buildings and adding a second runway.KAWU announced last month that it would suspend its September 1, 2024, strike in order to examine state-provided lease deal documents.
Moses Ndiema, the secretary general of KAWU, announced the postponement and noted that the concession documents provided by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) satisfied one of the union’s main demands.