Kenya: Passengers stranded amid airport staff strike

Overnight and on Monday, thousands of passengers faced delays and were stranded at Kenya's largest international airport, Jomo Kenyatta Airport, as a strike by airport staff continued in its second day. The labor action, led by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), targets poor working conditions and the absence of a collective bargaining agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority.

KAWU has also criticized the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) for insufficient support and criticized a plan to utilize youth volunteers as airport personnel.

Union leader Moss Ndiema revealed that KAWU had attempted a meeting with government officials on Sunday, but failed to reach a resolution. Traveler William Obino, 22, expressed frustration, stating, "Nothing is happening, updates are reaching us late. It's ruining our itinerary."

Kenya Airways reported that flights were departing approximately two hours delayed on average, while Rwanda's RwandAir canceled two flights on Sunday due to concerns over air traffic control issues in Nairobi. The KAA acknowledged working closely with aviation agencies, airlines, and stakeholders to manage the situation, minimize disruption, and ensure the smooth flow of airport operations.

The Kenya Airports Authority issued a statement assuring stakeholders of their commitment to managing the situation effectively. They emphasized their collaboration with aviation agencies, airlines, and other relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the strike and restore normal operations as soon as possible.