NAIROBI, Kenya – Aviation workers under the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) staged a demonstration at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday, protesting a proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Indian-based conglomerate, Adani Group Holdings.
The workers, armed with placards and chanting slogans, voiced their opposition to the deal, fearing that it could endanger their jobs and pave the way for foreign workers to take over operations at East Africa’s busiest airport.
The protests erupted despite the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General Moses Ndiema announcing a seven-day postponement of the strike to allow time for further review of the lease agreement.
“We will not sit back and watch as our jobs are put at risk. This deal with Adani Group threatens our livelihoods,” one of the protesting workers declared.
The demonstration disrupted normal operations at JKIA, causing delays in several flights as employees vacated their posts to participate in the march.
The scene reflected growing unease among KAA staff, who feel sidelined by the proposed partnership and uncertain about the future of their employment.
The proposed lease has been a contentious issue, with KAA employees fearing that a partnership with Adani Group could result in job losses or a shift in employment opportunities away from Kenyan workers.
Critics of the deal argue that it undermines local talent and raises concerns about the potential exploitation of Kenya’s aviation resources by foreign entities.
President William Ruto, seeking to quell the mounting dissent, recently addressed the issue, emphasizing the need for investment to modernize JKIA.
“Let’s be honest, Kenyans. The airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas. This is a temporary structure we built almost seven years ago. Ethiopia has a brand-new airport, and Rwanda the same. It is the reason why we need to work with investors to have a new airport in Nairobi,” Ruto explained during a public address on July 28.
Ruto’s statement, referencing the temporary nature of current JKIA structures, was an attempt to justify the necessity of the PPP to expand and upgrade the airport’s facilities to meet international standards.
However, his reassurances have done little to placate the fears of aviation workers and union members, who remain skeptical of the promises made by government and foreign investors.
The workers, armed with placards and chanting slogans, voiced their opposition to the deal, fearing that it could endanger their jobs and pave the way for foreign workers to take over operations at East Africa’s busiest airport.
The protests erupted despite the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General Moses Ndiema announcing a seven-day postponement of the strike to allow time for further review of the lease agreement.
“We will not sit back and watch as our jobs are put at risk. This deal with Adani Group threatens our livelihoods,” one of the protesting workers declared.
The demonstration disrupted normal operations at JKIA, causing delays in several flights as employees vacated their posts to participate in the march.
The scene reflected growing unease among KAA staff, who feel sidelined by the proposed partnership and uncertain about the future of their employment.
The proposed lease has been a contentious issue, with KAA employees fearing that a partnership with Adani Group could result in job losses or a shift in employment opportunities away from Kenyan workers.
Critics of the deal argue that it undermines local talent and raises concerns about the potential exploitation of Kenya’s aviation resources by foreign entities.
President William Ruto, seeking to quell the mounting dissent, recently addressed the issue, emphasizing the need for investment to modernize JKIA.
“Let’s be honest, Kenyans. The airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas. This is a temporary structure we built almost seven years ago. Ethiopia has a brand-new airport, and Rwanda the same. It is the reason why we need to work with investors to have a new airport in Nairobi,” Ruto explained during a public address on July 28.
Ruto’s statement, referencing the temporary nature of current JKIA structures, was an attempt to justify the necessity of the PPP to expand and upgrade the airport’s facilities to meet international standards.
However, his reassurances have done little to placate the fears of aviation workers and union members, who remain skeptical of the promises made by government and foreign investors.
