Airports operations grounded as hundreds spend nights on seats over ongoing aviation workers’ strike

Hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and other major airports since Sunday, as a result of a strike by a portion of aviation workers. The stranded travelers, who were scheduled to fly through Kenya's largest airport, spent the night in airport lobbies, awaiting instructions from airlines.

Some were relocated to hotels, while others cancelled their journeys altogether. The strike, initiated by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) on Sunday, led to delayed flights and ground operations across Kenyan airports, including JKIA and Moi International Airport in Mombasa. KAWU members, under the leadership of General Moss Ndiema, walked off their jobs at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the Kenya Airports Authority, and Jambojet, refusing to resume until the union's demands for improved welfare, better working conditions, and the implementation of previously agreed employment benefits are addressed.

The strike followed the collapse of a framework agreement signed on July 27, as the union and four employers attempted to negotiate directly with KAWU. Despite several meetings between the workers and their employers, no resolution was reached. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) advised passengers and other airport users to contact their respective airlines for updates on flight statuses and to adjust their travel plans accordingly.

KAA expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and acknowledged the patience and understanding of passengers and other airport users as the situation was resolved.