Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were paralysed on Tuesday night after aviation workers went on a go-slow.
Long queues of stranded travellers characterized the scene after boarding and takeoff were delayed, sparking an outrage.
The disruption was the result of a formal strike by aviation workers, something which had been building up for weeks now.
This strike followed a notice issued by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) on August 12, where it strongly opposed the proposed leasing of JKIA to the Indian conglomerate Adani Group.
The KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema, in issuing the notice, had raised several concerns that such a deal was likely to see massive layoffs, introduction of foreign workers, and deterioration of working conditions.
Their grievances were not limited to the deal itself. They also wanted the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Board of Directors and three senior managers to go, citing incompetence and mishandling of the leasing agreement.
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They also demanded the sacking of two Kenya Airways security managers, citing serious allegations of gross misconduct including human trafficking, sexual harassment, and unfair promotion within the department.
However, there was a brief respite when KAWU announced a 7-day postponement of the strike on 31 August. The delay was due to KAA’s partial concession—providing the union with the requested concession documents.
“We have deliberated about the issue today and it is our resolution that we make a further delay for our strike action for seven days,” Ndiema stated at the time.
Despite this temporary pause, the situation quickly deteriorated. Ten days later, with no significant response from Kenya Airways or KAA, the unionisable workers of both entities returned to their protest.
KAWU emphasised that they would only reconsider their strike if the proposed sale of JKIA was fully abandoned and if the KAA board and managers, as well as the two Kenya Airways security managers, resigned as demanded.
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