The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has called for mass demonstrations and threatened strike action over a controversial deal to privatize Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The union’s Secretary General, Moss Ndiema, issued a letter on August 11, 2024, detailing plans for worker protests and demanding the resignation of key aviation officials.
At the heart of the dispute is a proposed partnership between Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Adani Airport Holdings Limited of India, which KAWU claims is a thinly veiled attempt to sell JKIA. The union alleges that the deal, described as a public-private partnership, violates Kenyan law and constitutional principles of transparency and accountability.
“We have stated unequivocally that the secret deal between Adani and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is not only unlawful for want of compliance with the relevant provisions of the PPA Act, but is also in contravention of the national values and principles of good governance,” Ndiema wrote in the letter.
KAWU’s primary concern is the potential for widespread job losses if the deal proceeds. The union claims to have seen Adani’s proposal, which allegedly outlines plans for “mass lay-offs of the majority of employees” and the importation of non-Kenyan workers. KAA has denied these claims, but KAWU remains unconvinced.
“A perusal of Adani’s proposal to KAA, which document is now in the public domain, contains details of how Adani intends to carry out mass lay-offs of the majority of employees and instead bring on board non-Kenyans to take their jobs should they succeed in taking over JKIA,” Ndiema stated.
The union has called for the immediate resignation of KAA’s entire board of directors, citing a loss of public trust. Additionally, KAWU is demanding the resignation of KAA’s Acting Managing Director & CEO, as well as the General Manager of Human Resource Development and the General Manager of Engineering. The union accuses these officials of incompetence, lack of transparency, and disregard for employee welfare.
In a separate but related development, KAWU has also raised concerns about alleged misconduct by two senior security officials at Kenya Airways (KQ). The union is calling for the resignation of KQ’s Head of Security and Security Operations Manager, citing various allegations including human trafficking and sexual harassment.
To press their demands, KAWU has announced plans for a demonstration on Monday, August 12, 2024. Workers are instructed to assemble at JKIA between 8:00 am and 10:00 am, after which they will march to KAA headquarters to deliver a formal strike notice. The union has warned of potential disruptions to airport services during this period.
“We wish to notify all airlines, passengers, stakeholders and all airport users of the possible disruption of services and operations between 8.00 am and 10.00 am on Monday, 12th August 2024 due to the lawful activities by the workers as outlined above,” Ndiema cautioned.
