Irungu Nyakera: JKIA mess too costly for Kenya

Citizens Party Nairobi representative Irungu Nyakera has called for immediate action to resolve issues at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), warning that the ongoing predicament is causing harm to travelers, businesses, and Kenya's economy. Nyakera himself was among the passengers impacted by the disruption after his Saudi Arabia-to-Nairobi flight was canceled, leaving him uncertain about his return journey.

In a recent post on his X account, Nyakera highlighted that the consequences of the disruptions extend beyond airport passengers to tourism, cargo, and business operations. He stated, "I am currently stranded at the airport in Saudi Arabia following our canceled flight to Nairobi, with no knowledge of when we will return home." Nyakera emphasized that prolonged disruptions at JKIA could have substantial economic repercussions, especially for a nation that heavily depends on aviation for tourism, trade, and regional connectivity.

He asserted, "This JKIA mess is too costly for Kenya, with stranded tourists, delayed cargo, disrupted business operations, and millions lost by the hour." His comments came as thousands of passengers remained stranded at JKIA and Moi International Airport on Monday due to an aviation workers' strike over unresolved labor grievances.

The strike resulted from flight delays at airports managed by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). The KAA issued a statement on Sunday, August 30, coordinating with aviation agencies, airlines, and stakeholders to mitigate disruption and ensure smooth airport operations. The authority urged passengers to check their flight statuses directly with airlines and adjust their travel plans as necessary.

The renewed industrial action follows a strike suspension after a framework agreement was signed between KAWU and KAA, KCAA, Kenya Airways, and Jambojet on July 27, 2026. The agreement aimed to facilitate negotiations on outstanding labor issues; however, KAWU Secretary-General Moses Ndiema expressed frustration over the lack of engagement from other airlines, claiming that several grievances in the strike notice remained unaddressed.

Nyakera urged the country's leadership to take swift action, emphasizing the critical importance of JKIA to Kenya's economy. He declared, "JKIA is too vital to our economy, and the country's leadership must intervene immediately to resolve this issue!"