Kenya Aviation Workers Call Off Strike

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has ended its strike following a deal with the government and key aviation industry representatives. The agreement to end the industrial action was reached on August 31, 2026, after talks chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir. The strike had caused flight delays and cancellations at Nairobi's airports, inconveniencing thousands of travelers.

KAWU has directed affected employees to return to their normal duties immediately. The deal committed the union to cooperate with management for the immediate restoration of normal operations. No employees who participated in the strike will be victimized, intimidated, or discriminated against. The government will also ensure that agency fees owed to KAWU are promptly returned.

Further commitments include the resumption of negotiations on a Collective Bargaining Agreement between KAWU and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, and the resolution of the recognition dispute with Jambojet. Both sides promised to respect the court's decision concerning the matter. The government pledged to address issues concerning the top management of the Kenya Airports Authority and agreed to arbitrate union grievances within three weeks of the agreement's execution.

The strike began on Sunday morning, affecting airlines with six-hour delays and cancellations. The government has apologized for the disruption, recognizing its impact on passengers, airlines, businesses, and international connections. Efforts are underway to resolve the issues and restore normal airport operations.