Travellers were left stranded at both the Kisumu and Mombasa’s Moi International Airports following a strike by the Kenya aviation workers who downed tools at midnight.
Passengers were seen in long-winding queues at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa after the workers embarked on a go-slow, which led to several travellers missing their flights.
A similar scene was witnessed at the Kisumu International Airport along the Kisumu-Busia highway where passengers stood in line for hours to access services.
This is in solidarity with workers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) who staged a protest at the nation’s main gateway on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, to protest a planned takeover of the asset by an Indian conglomerate.
In a notice by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General Moses Ndiema states that their industrial action would only stop if the government ceases to engage Adani Group on the planned takeover of JKIA.
The workers expressed fears that in the event that the Ksh96 billion Adani deal goes through, a significant number of their workers at JKIA would lose their jobs while the surviving workforce would be handed unfair terms of service.
The workers suspect the deal will see the Indian conglomerate import foreign workers in the management of its activities during the duration of the 30-year lease.
Mwaura on Adani deal
According to the government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, the deal will see JKIA experience an upgrade, stating that the national asset has been in dire need of expansion since its construction in 1978.
Mwaura said that the facility had brought the nation to international ridicule with its leaking roofs and power outages and that it was time to modernise it.
Similarly, the workers demand the immediate resignation of Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, Security boss Benard Oganga and James Kiprono Ng’eno, Security Operations Manager.
They have also called for the dissolution of the entire board of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) including the acting CEO Henry Ogoye.
KAA statement on strike
Ogoye has since stated that the authority is in the process of restoring normalcy at JKIA.
He appealed to the affected passengers to confirm the status of their travels, apologising for the inconveniences occasioned by the strike.
“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 said.