Kenya’s main aviation union announced a strike set for next Monday in response to a deal with India’s Adani Airport Holdings to develop the country’s largest airport. This industrial action could significantly disrupt East Africa’s travel hub.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union claims the proposed deal, revealed last month, will result in job losses and the influx of non-Kenyan workers. They are urging the government to cancel the agreement with Adani Airport Holdings for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The Kenyan government insists that JKIA is not for sale and that no final decision has been made regarding the public-private partnership proposal to upgrade the airport. An Adani Group spokesperson was unavailable for comment.
Kenya Airways could also face major disruptions due to the strike. The union’s Secretary General, Moss Ndiema, stated they would reconsider industrial action if the deal with Adani is fully abandoned and called for the resignation of the Kenya Airports Authority board.
The Kenya Airports Authority, which received the strike notice, is hopeful for a resolution through negotiation. The government has acknowledged JKIA’s need for modernization, citing capacity issues and aging infrastructure, and is reviewing Adani’s proposal amid financial constraints.
