Flight operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi were significantly disrupted on Sunday, August 30, after Kenyan aviation workers resumed strike action over unresolved employment and welfare issues.
The industrial action affected workers under the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and Jambojet, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and several flights delayed. The disruption came only weeks after a previous strike was suspended following government-led negotiations.
Passengers arriving at JKIA reported long waits and uncertainty over their departure times. Some travellers said they had not received adequate warning before arriving at the airport, only to discover that their flights had been delayed.
One passenger travelling to Dubai was scheduled to leave at 1 p.m. but was still waiting for information several hours later. Another passenger travelling to Rwanda for a conference said their flight had also been delayed.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) said the strike was triggered by the failure of employers to resolve several outstanding grievances. According to the union, these include concerns over salaries, collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, job security and career progression.
The union had previously agreed to suspend strike action after a framework agreement was reached with the government on July 27. The agreement gave the affected aviation employers a period to engage directly with the union and resolve the outstanding issues.
However, KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema said the discussions did not produce the progress expected by the workers. The union subsequently lifted the suspension and ordered members to resume industrial action.
Among the issues raised by the union is a dispute involving salary adjustments and backdated payments. KAWU has complained that some workers have gone for years without salary increments and is demanding that previously raised remuneration concerns be addressed.
The union has also raised concerns about working conditions and employment security at the Kenya Airports Authority. At Jambojet, it is demanding recognition of the union and has accused the airline of failing to adequately engage with its members.
The Kenya Airports Authority acknowledged that flight delays were affecting airports across the country. It said it was working with airlines, aviation agencies and other stakeholders to minimise the disruption and maintain airport operations.
Passengers were advised to contact their airlines directly before travelling to the airport to confirm the latest status of their flights.
Kenya Airways also reported significant disruption to its schedule. By 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, the airline said only about 30 percent of its scheduled flights had departed, with flights that did leave experiencing average delays of two to three hours. Some later departures were delayed by more than three hours.
The disruption at JKIA is particularly significant because the airport is Kenya’s main international aviation hub and serves as an important connection point for passengers travelling between Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Delays at the airport can therefore have consequences beyond Kenya, with passengers potentially missing connecting flights and having to rearrange accommodation and onward travel.
The latest strike has once again placed pressure on the Kenyan government and aviation authorities to reach an agreement with workers. KAWU has indicated that its members will remain on strike until its major grievances are addressed.
For passengers, the immediate concern remains the restoration of normal flight operations. Airlines and airport authorities are expected to continue providing updates as negotiations take place.
The dispute also highlights wider concerns within Kenya’s aviation industry about employee welfare, remuneration and labour relations. Unless the underlying disagreements are resolved, further disruptions could continue to affect passengers and the country’s aviation sector.
