The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has accused striking aviation workers of disobeying the court.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, KAA acting CEO Henry Ogoye said the aviation workers who are on a go-slow over the JKIA-Adani deal had paralysed operations at the airport, which is a main gateway to the country.
If the deal sails through, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will be leased to the Indian company for a period of 30 years.
“Early this morning, a section of unionisable airport workers at JKIA engaged in a strike contrary to the court directive case number: ELRCC/E648/2024. As of 7:00 am, minimal operations had resumed,” Ogoye stated.
Ogoye says the authority is engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure normal operations return to the airport.
“In the meantime, we are engaging relevant parties to normalize operations. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Meanwhile, we encourage passengers to reach out to their respective airlines to confirm their departure status,” Ogoye added.
Aviation workers’ demands
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) is demanding the immediate resignation of the entire board of directors over the intended lease of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings of India while they should have exercised prudence and accountability as the custodians of the national asset on behalf of Kenyans.
“Formally notify you that all unionise employees of Kenya Airways and Kenya Airports Authority shall go on strike after the expiry of seven (7) days from today, 12th August 2024,” the KAWU strike notice reads in part.
“For Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), this action is necessitated by your failure to heed our demands conveyed via our three letters dated 6th August 2024 which demanded the immediate resignation of the entire Board of Directors for their show of incompetence in presiding over the unlawful intended sale of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings of India while they should have exercised prudence and accountability as the custodians of this national strategic asset on behalf of Kenyans.”
The aviation workers also demanded the immediate resignation of the KAA officials on account of their inability to hold public office.
“We also demanded your immediate resignation and that of the General Manager of Human Resource Development, Mr. Anthony Njagi, and the General Manager of Engineering, Mr. Meshock. Oching Otwaro on account of your inability to hold public office due to incompetence and questionable integrity as demonstrated by the unprofessional and unlawful manner in which you are orchestrating the sale of JKIA to Adani Group of India, your undying appetite for impunity, and disrespect of the rule of law, among others,” KAWU strike notice reads.
The strike has now spread to Kisumu International Airport and the Moi International Airport in Mombasa.