The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has announced a two-week postponement of their industrial strike, initially scheduled for Monday, August 19. This delay follows the government’s invitation to negotiate a proposed deal with India’s Adani Airports Holdings.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema stated that after a meeting with Labor CS Alfred Mutua and a forthcoming meeting with Transport CS David Chirchir, the union agreed to the postponement.
“We were asked to delay our strike actions to allow for dialogue,” Ndiema explained.
The core issue for KAWU is the proposed takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Adani Airports Holdings. Ndiema criticized the deal, citing concerns that it would adversely affect the employment terms of the 1,000 union members at JKIA.
“We have received information suggesting that once Adani takes over, current employees may have to reapply for positions under inferior terms,” he warned.
The deal, valued at Kes.246 billion, involves Adani upgrading JKIA under a 30-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract. This includes constructing a new runway and terminal and refurbishing the existing facilities.
The government defends the deal as essential for modernizing JKIA, which currently exceeds its annual capacity of 7.5 million passengers. Transport CS Davies Chirchir has argued that the deal is crucial for Kenya’s growth.
In contrast, KAWU argues that the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is capable of managing the airport’s upgrade without a Public-Private Partnership. Ndiema questioned why KAA, a profit-making entity with available funds, would need to involve Adani, especially if it could secure loans independently.
