How aviation workers' strike disrupted flights at JKIA

Travellers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were on Monday met with confusion, delays and cancellations after aviation workers began an industrial action that paralysed operations at the country’s main gateway.

By mid-morning, the usually bustling departure and arrival terminals had turned into scenes of uncertainty. Long queues snaked outside airline counters as anxious passengers sought clarification on their flights.

The Flight Information Display System screens flashed a worrying pattern, “Delayed”, “Cancelled”, and “Rescheduled” dominating both international and domestic routes.

Taxis continued to drop off and pick up travellers, while foreign visitors queued at Safaricom and Airtel shops to purchase local SIM cards, unaware that some of their onward journeys would not proceed as scheduled. For many, it was an unexpected disruption at the start or end of their travels.

The chaos followed the commencement of a strike by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which announced a nationwide industrial action affecting airports and airstrips across the country. The dispute pits the union against the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and the Kenya Airports Authority, with workers citing long-standing grievances that they say have been ignored for more than a decade.

KAWU Secretary-General Moses Ndiema said the strike had been activated after the expiry of a seven-day notice issued last week.

“We wish to inform the country and travellers using Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and all other airports and airstrips in our country that we have commenced our strike action this morning, and it is progressing as planned,” Ndiema said during a press briefing at JKIA.

He warned that travellers planning to use the airport should expect service interruptions.

“Those services may not be provided. There are disruptions, there are delays, there are cancellations. Not that we enjoy this, but we were left with no option when management refused to engage us meaningfully,” he said.

At the heart of the dispute is what the union describes as failure by KCAA management to conclude a Collective Bargaining Agreement for more than 11 years. The union also accuses management of introducing new human resource instruments and organisational structures without consultation, allegedly resulting in job downgrades.

Ndiema further claimed that a section of employees has been denied the right to join or participate in union activities.

“They came up with a new HR instrument, organisational structure and career progression framework without involving the union. The consequence has been downgrading of jobs. Our demand is that structure be dropped,” he said.

The union also criticised the deployment of General Service Unit (GSU) officers at entry and exit points at JKIA, terming it a militarisation of a civilian aviation facility.

“As we speak, we have GSU officers manning the entry and exit points at JKIA. That goes contrary to international civil aviation regulations. Because of that, we are immediately withdrawing all employees on duty and asking those expected to report later not to do so,” Ndiema added.

The strike call extended to staff at Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Swissport and other ground handling companies, including cabin crew, until an agreement is reached.

Peter Gichuri, an employee at KCAA, echoed the union’s grievances, saying workers had endured years of unaddressed concerns.

“We are disgruntled. Issues within our staff have remained unaddressed for more than a decade. This includes refusal by management to allow us to join a union of representation and refusal to confirm into permanent employment people who have been performing permanent functions for years,” he said.

Gichuri maintained that the strike was not orchestrated by employees but by management’s inaction.

“As long as our issues are addressed at the earliest opportunity, we will gladly resume normal operations,” he said.

Major airlines operating from JKIA confirmed disruptions.

Kenya Airways, the national carrier, advised passengers to expect delays and schedule adjustments.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience and are working closely with the relevant aviation authorities and airport stakeholders to minimise disruption and maintain safe operations,” the airline said in a statement.

The Kenya Airports Authority acknowledged delays affecting departing flights at JKIA due to the industrial action.

Howevre, KCAA insisted it had activated operational continuity measures.

“Critical aviation safety and air navigation functions will remain operational and are being managed in accordance with established contingency protocols.” KCAA said in a statement.