Francis Atwoli Claims Murkomen Declined To Explain Adani Deal: "Very Arrogant"

• Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has backed the ongoing strike by aviation workers
• Atwoli claimed former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen refused to explain the Adani deal to the workers
• According to Atwoli, Cabinet secretaries in the Kenya Kwanza government are to blame for the current crisis

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi—Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has blamed former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for the ongoing strike by aviation workers.

Why is Murkomen to blame for the strike by aviation workers?

Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday, September 11, Atwoli accused government officials of refusing to listen to workers' concerns about the Adani deal.

Atwoli claimed Murkomen refused to meet the aviation workers and explain to them the contents of the controversial deal between the Adani Group and the government.

According to Atwoli, had Murkomen picked up his calls, the current situation would have been avoided.

"I called the previous CS for Roads and transport, Murkomen, with a view to trying to educate and advise him to meet with the workers and explain the Adani issue to them. Our ministers are very ... ; they don't pick up calls unless they are from businessmen and employers. This is what has brought all this," Atwoli said.

KQ announces flight disruptions amid strike

Meanwhile, due to the ongoing protests, Kenya Airways cautioned Kenyans about flight changes.

The national carrier issued a public notice on Wednesday, September 11, stating that the strike affected departing and arriving passengers.

The airline assured passengers it would continue to monitor the situation and update them on the affected flights.

What else you need to know about Adani Group-JKIA deal

• The court blocked the takeover of the airport by the Indian firm.
• Engineers of Kenya listed several concerns about the Adani-JKIA deal, including the fact that no runway was proposed.
• Adani Group set up a company in Kenya despite widespread opposition to the deal.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke