NAIROBI, Kenya — Prominent tourism stakeholder Mohammed Hersi has urged President William Ruto to urgently intervene in the ongoing strike by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, warning that the disruption is damaging the country’s economy and international reputation.
Hersi, a former chairman of the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF), said the prolonged aviation disruption threatens tourism growth, export markets and Kenya’s standing as a regional hub.
The strike has entered its second day, triggering flight delays and uncertainty at major airports, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Hersi said the country had worked hard to rebuild its tourism sector following the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that 2025 had been a strong recovery year and 2026 was projected to perform even better.
However, he questioned how Kenya could realistically grow visitor numbers if its airspace remained unreliable.
“Tourism runs on connectivity,” Hersi said in a statement on X. “When flights are disrupted, it is not just passengers who are affected. It is hotel bookings cancelled at the last minute, safaris postponed, conferences moved elsewhere, and future bookings quietly redirected to competing destinations perceived as more stable. Confidence is fragile.”
Kenya has positioned itself as a leading tourism and conference destination in Africa, with Nairobi serving as a key transit hub for East and Central Africa.
Ongoing strike by Kenya Air Control Operators is damaging our economy & reputation .Your Excellency President William Ruto @WilliamsRutoI write to you as a Kenyan deeply invested in the success of our tourism industry and in the broader economic wellbeing of our country.You
Cargo and Export Concerns
Beyond tourism, Hersi warned of ripple effects on cargo operations, particularly the country’s horticulture exports.
Kenya is a major exporter of fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables to European and Middle Eastern markets — products that rely heavily on timely air freight.
“When planes don’t fly, produce perishes, contracts are breached, and international buyers begin to look elsewhere,” he noted.
Questions Over Pay Dispute
The tourism leader also raised concerns over reports that workers’ salaries had not been reviewed for approximately 15 years.
“If this is accurate, it raises serious concern,” Hersi said.
He argued that labour disputes in essential services like air navigation should be anticipated and resolved before escalating into national crises.
“The economic cost of this strike will not end when operations resume,” he warned.
