Relief for Passengers as Kenya Aviation Workers Call Off Strike After Government Agreement
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1 – Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has called off its strike that disrupted flight operations at Nairobi airports after reaching an agreement with the government.
The strike that began on Sunday had paralysed operations at Kenyan airports including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Moi International Airport, Eldoret International Airport and the Kisumu International Airport.
The decision brings relief to thousands of passengers who had been affected by delays, cancellations and disruptions as aviation workers downed their tools in protest.
Following the agreement, the workers are expected to resume their duties and work closely with airport management to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
The union’s decision to suspend the industrial action follows negotiations with the government aimed at addressing the concerns raised by aviation workers.
The negotiations were chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Mr. Davis Chirchir and also involved the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua, the Principal Secretaries for Aviation and Aerospace Development and Labour, as well as the Chief Executive Officers of KCAA, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet.
Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) SecretaryGeneral, Mr. Moss Ndiema and the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Mr. Francis Atwoli.
Among a number of issues agreed upon, the parties reached consensus on the way forward regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement between KCAA and KAWU, the Recognition Agreement between KAWU and Jambojet, and the non-victimisation of employees arising from the industrial action.
“We have looked at various issues with very clear guidelines on how we are going to deal with the three CBAs (collective bargaining agreements) which have been suspended since 2015,” said CS Chirchir.
The disruption had caused significant challenges at Nairobi’s airports, with passengers facing uncertainty over flight schedules and airlines struggling to maintain normal operations.
With workers now returning to their stations, airport authorities and aviation stakeholders are expected to coordinate efforts to clear the backlog and ensure smooth handling of departing and arriving passengers.
The agreement between KAWU and the government is expected to ease tensions within the aviation sector while providing an opportunity for the parties to address outstanding issues through dialogue rather than further industrial action.
Passengers have consequently been advised to check with their respective airlines for updated flight schedules as normal operations resume.
The end of the strike marks a return to normalcy at Kenya’s key aviation gateways, with attention now shifting to the implementation of the agreement reached between the union and the government.
“We are simply calling off our strike action and pleading with our members to begin the process of normalising operations, restoring services,” KAWU Secretary Mr. Ndiema told a press conference.
“For those who are on duty, we are asking them to begin clearing flights.”
Mr. Ndiema had said previously that the union wanted court-backed intervention, citing the lack of a collective bargaining agreement at the Civil Aviation Authority, delayed salary reviews, a dispute over union dues at KAA, and what he described as victimisation of union members at Jambojet.
Passengers at the main Nairobi airport earlier reported waiting for hours for updates as the disruption stretched into a second day on Monday.
“Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) appreciates the commitment and goodwill demonstrated by all parties in reaching an amicable resolution and thanks passengers, air operators and other aviation stakeholders for their patience and understanding”.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) on Monday informed passengers of delays in their scheduled travel as Kenya Airways had also informed travellers of a 6-hour delay in flight schedules.
The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday evening apologised to passengers affected by flight disruptions at JKIA. Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi regretted its impact on passengers, airlines and businesses as operations at JKIA, the country’s main gateway.
Mudavadi said the government was engaging all parties involved, with talks ongoing to resolve the matter and restore normal operations “safely and in an orderly manner”.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to passengers whose journeys have been disrupted,” a statement from the ministry read.
