Hundreds Stranded At Kenya Airport As Workers’ Strike Enters Second Day

Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi as aviation workers continue a strike over employment concerns. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union is demanding the finalisation of a new collective bargaining agreement and opposing the use of National Youth Service volunteers as airport staff. Several flights have been cancelled, while others are operating with delays of two to three hours.

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded at Kenya’s main international airport as an aviation workers’ strike entered its second day on Monday, disrupting flights and leaving some travellers spending the night at the facility.
The industrial action at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi has led to flight cancellations and lengthy delays, causing significant disruption for passengers travelling to and from Kenya.
JKIA is one of East Africa’s busiest and most important aviation hubs. It serves as a major gateway to Kenya and the wider region and plays an important role in the country’s tourism and business sectors.
Several flights were cancelled on Sunday when the strike began, while hundreds of passengers were reportedly forced to remain at the airport overnight after being unable to continue their journeys.
Kenya Airways said flights were still operating but were departing with average delays of between two and three hours.

WHY ARE THE WORKERS ON STRIKE?

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) said the strike was prompted by the Kenya Airports Authority’s failure to finalise a new collective bargaining agreement with its employees.
The agreement is expected to address issues concerning workers’ employment conditions, including wages, benefits and other workplace matters.
The union is also protesting the use of volunteers from Kenya’s National Youth Service (NYS) as airport staff.
KAWU has raised concerns over the deployment of NYS personnel at the airport, arguing that the move could affect the jobs and working conditions of trained aviation workers.

GOVERNMENT AGENCY MOVES TO LIMIT DISRUPTION

The Kenya Airports Authority acknowledged the disruption and said it was working with aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to manage the situation.
The authority said its priority was to minimise the impact of the strike and facilitate the smooth flow of airport operations.
However, with the industrial action continuing, passengers remain uncertain about when normal flight schedules will fully resume.

STRIKE ADDS TO JKIA’S HISTORY OF DISRUPTIONS

The latest strike is not the first time industrial action has affected operations at JKIA. Kenya’s main international airport has experienced previous labour disputes, with workers at different times demanding better pay, improved working conditions and the resolution of employment-related grievances.
The strategic importance of JKIA means that prolonged disruption can have consequences beyond Kenya. The airport handles international passengers, regional connections and cargo, making it an important link for tourism, trade and business across East Africa.
For passengers caught in the latest disruption, the effects are immediate. Travellers face cancelled flights, long delays, missed connections and the uncomfortable prospect of spending hours or even an entire night at the airport.
As the strike enters its second day, pressure is mounting on the Kenya Airports Authority and the workers’ union to resolve their differences and restore normal operations.
A quick resolution would not only ease the burden on stranded passengers but also help protect Kenya’s reputation as a major regional travel and tourism destination.