Relief For Kenya Airports Authority As Workers Postpone Planned Strike Over JKIA Lease To Adani

• The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has postponed the planned strike initially scheduled for August 19, 2024
• KAWU members had raised concerns that leasing JKIA to Adani could result in job losses, reduced benefits, and worsened working conditions
• The postponement of the strike provides Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and government officials with additional time to address the concerns of aviation workers and the public regarding the airport's future management

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than three years of financial, business, and technology research expertise, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) received a much-needed reprieve after the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) agreed to postpone a planned strike.

The workers had initially issued a 7-day strike notice to protest the proposed leasing of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to India's Adani Group and its implications on their job security and welfare.

Will Kenya airport workers strike?

In a statement sent to TUKO.co.ke, KAA stated that in a press statement released on Saturday, August 17, KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema confirmed that the strike, which was set to commence on Monday, August 19, had been postponed to allow for continued discussions with government officials.

Ndiema explained that the decision came after positive progress was made in negotiations involving the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, KAA management, and union leaders.

"Further to the statement released on Friday, August 16th, on the above-stated subject, Kenya Airports Authority would like to inform the public and all its stakeholders that the 7-day strike notice announced on Monday 12th August 2024, stands Postponed," KAA said in a press statement.

Airport workers issue strike notice

The strike notice issued by KAWU was initially triggered by union members' concerns about the impact of leasing JKIA to the Adani Group.

Workers feared the potential privatisation would lead to job losses, reduced benefits, and deteriorating working conditions.

TUKO.co.ke reported on Friday, August 16, that KAA had assured all stakeholders that it had set measures in place to ensure airport operations would remain undisrupted ahead of the strike.

The postponement of the strike offers KAA leadership and government officials more time to address the concerns raised by aviation workers and members of the public.

However, the looming issue of JKIA's future management remains contentious.

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