NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has hit pause on its nationwide strike, originally slated for Tuesday, as it engages in a series of high-stakes negotiations with top government officials.
The decision to delay the industrial action by 14 days came after a crucial meeting with Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on August 15, 2024.
KAWU’s Secretary General Moss Ndiema announced the postponement, citing the union’s commitment to giving dialogue a chance.
“Following the above developments, the union has decided to give dialogue a chance which we hope will be carried out in an honest, transparent, and candid manner,” Ndiema stated.
The union also has a scheduled meeting with Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir later on Tuesday, which could further influence the course of these negotiations.
Ndiema emphasized that if the ongoing discussions fail to yield satisfactory results for its members, or if the union detects a lack of goodwill from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Airways (KQ), or the government, the strike will be reinstated after 14 days—no additional notice required.
At the heart of the dispute is a controversial proposal by Adani Airport Holdings to take over the management and modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) through a concession.
KAWU has vehemently opposed this move, claiming that the deal was conducted in a “secretive and unlawful manner,” which they fear could lead to massive job losses for their more than 10,000 members if it goes through.
In addition to halting the Adani concession, KAWU has made sweeping demands, including the resignation of key figures within the KAA, such as the acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye, the Human Resource Manager, and the Engineering Manager, for their alleged involvement in the deal.
The union is also calling for the immediate resignation of KQ’s airport security manager, further intensifying the pressure on the aviation sector’s leadership.
As the clock ticks down on this 14-day window, all eyes are on the outcomes of these critical discussions.
The stakes are high, not just for the aviation workers but also for the thousands of travelers who could be affected by a potential strike.
In anticipation, the KAA has already issued a notice on August 16, 2024, assuring travelers that contingency measures are in place to maintain smooth operations in the event that the strike is reinstated.
