Workers at Kenya's main international airport staged a protest on Wednesday against a proposed deal between the government and India's Adani Group. The agreement aims to modernize Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by constructing a new runway and terminal, with the foreign investor managing the airport for 30 years.
The Kenya Airport Workers Union initiated the strike, expressing concerns about potential job losses and unfavorable working conditions for employees. As a result, flight operations have been disrupted, leading to flight delays and cancellations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at the airport.
Kenya Airways announced the impact of the strike on its services, affecting both local flights from cities like Mombasa and Kisumu. The situation at the airport has prompted police officers to assist with security checks, causing long queues and uncertainty among passengers regarding their travel plans.
The Kenya Airports Authority assured the public that efforts are underway to normalize operations and advised passengers to contact airlines for flight updates. The Central Organization of Trade Unions criticized the government for not addressing workers' concerns earlier, emphasizing the need to protect jobs as required by law.
Prior to the strike, reports emerged of unidentified individuals associated with the Indian firm conducting activities at the airport, raising suspicions among workers. The High Court intervened by temporarily halting the deal's implementation following legal challenges from the Law Society and the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
