Hundreds of passengers were stranded at Kenya’s main airport, Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), after workers went on strike to protest a planned takeover by the Indian business group, Adani . The strike, which began on Wednesday, caused flight delays and cancellations, with large queues forming outside the airport .
Reason for the Strike
The strike was called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, which argues that the deal to lease JKIA to Adani for 30 years is “opaque” and could lead to job losses . The union also claims that the deal would bring in non-Kenyan workers and lead to “inferior terms and conditions of service” for those who remain .
Government’s Perspective
The government says that the airport is operating beyond capacity and needs private investment to upgrade it . The proposed deal with Adani would see the airport renovated, with a new runway and terminal constructed, in exchange for the group running the airport for 30 years .
High Court Intervention
The High Court temporarily halted the implementation of the deal on Monday to allow time for a judicial review challenging the lease .
Strike Suspended
On Wednesday evening, union leaders announced that they would return to work, and normal operations would resume shortly. The strike was suspended after the government assured the union that the deal with Adani would not be finalized without their approval.
Passengers Affected
Passengers were left stranded, with many waiting for hours for news of their flights. Wilma van Altena, a passenger who was trying to return to the Netherlands for a funeral, described the situation as “chaotic” .
The Zimbabwe men’s football team was also stranded at the airport, waiting for their onward flight to Harare.
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