Moses Ndiema, the Secretary General of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), announced on Wednesday evening, September 11, 2024, the suspension of the strike that had crippled operations at major airports across Kenya.
The strike, which began on Tuesday night and escalated by Wednesday, caused significant disruptions to vital services at airports, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The decision to halt the strike temporarily came after high-level talks between KAWU officials and government representatives, including Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) acting managing director Henry Ogoye, Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli, and Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, among others.
During a press briefing at JKIA, Ndiema clarified that the decision to end the strike should not be interpreted as the aviation workers agreeing to the government’s plan to lease JKIA to Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate.
He emphasized that KAWU’s position on the matter remains unchanged and that aviation workers will have a say in any potential deal.
Ndiema highlighted that the union had secured a significant win during the negotiations, ensuring that no agreement would be signed with Adani without KAWU’s consent.
He assured aviation workers that he would never approve any deal that threatened their interests, even declaring, “Ata wakate mkono sita sign,” meaning, “Even if they cut my hand, I won’t sign.”
“What I can say on my part very briefly ni kwamba hatujasema sisi tumekubali Adani. Pili, tutapewa kura ya turufu – veto power ambayo kalamu yetu itahitajika ndo isonge hatua moja mbele, hio ni sawa sawa? Na si munanijua? Si munaniamini? Kama ni mbaya si ntawaambia? Na ata wakate mkono sita sign sindio?” Ndiema reassured the workers, reinforcing his commitment to their cause.
Francis Atwoli, Cotu Secretary General, added that KAWU had received all the essential documents it had been demanding from the government regarding the proposed Adani deal.
He stated that KAWU, along with other involved parties, would thoroughly review the documents over the next 10 working days to identify and address any areas of concern.
“Tulikua hatuna documents, documents have been made available to us – most pertinent documents as requested by the union. We undertake to go through them within 10 working days and flag out areas of our concern, which shall immediately be pointed out with a view of jointly engaging in discussion with the government, Kenya Airways, and KAA,” Atwoli said.
Additionally, the meeting resolved that no employee would face repercussions for participating in the strike.
The KAA was also requested to withdraw a cöurt câse against the union related to the strike notice.
Transport CS Chirchir acknowledged the ongoing cöurt câse, noting that the government would utilize it to ensure transparency by providing all relevant information about the proposed lease deal to the court and other stakeholders.