JKIA Workers Resume Strike, Leaving Passengers Stranded and Flights Disrupted

Workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) resumed strike action on Saturday night, disrupting flights and leaving passengers facing delays and uncertainty over their travel plans.

Travellers arriving at JKIA on Sunday morning reported long waits and limited information from airlines about delayed departures. Some said they had received no prior warning of the strike and only learnt about the disruption after arriving at the airport.Several passengers waited for hours as airlines issued revised schedules without confirming when flights would operate. Glen Omindu, who was scheduled to fly to Dubai at 1pm, said passengers had received no clear information about when they would depart. He said he was considering cancelling his trip.

Faith Mbugua, who arrived at the airport several hours before her scheduled departure, said her 1pm flight had been moved to 8:50pm. She remained uncertain whether the flight would operate. Stephen Maguro, who was travelling to Rwanda for a conference, said passengers had been given new schedules but had little confidence that the flights would depart as indicated.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) said the strike was reinstated after government agencies failed to fulfil commitments contained in a memorandum of understanding signed last month. KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema accused the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) of failing to engage adequately in negotiations with the union.

“We did sign a back-to-work formula but, unfortunately, KAA and KCAA failed to meet our demands. They have never committed to the negotiations and have failed to cooperate and show effort in resolving our grievances,” Ndiema said.

The Kenya Airports Authority acknowledged the delays in a travel advisory and said it was working with airlines, aviation agencies and other stakeholders to minimise disruption.

“KAA is working closely with the relevant aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to manage the situation, minimise disruption and facilitate the smooth flow of airport operations,” the authority said.

KAA advised passengers to contact their airlines directly for updates on their flights. A crisis meeting involving union officials, the Ministry of Transport and aviation agencies was also convened to seek a resolution to the dispute. The renewed strike follows an earlier suspension of industrial action under a back-to-work agreement.