Kenya’s aviation workers’ union has postponed its previously scheduled strike

The largest union of Kenya’s aviation workers has postponed a strike that was originally scheduled to commence on Monday for a period of two weeks. This decision was made to facilitate discussions with the government regarding a potential agreement with an Indian company to develop the nation’s primary airport.

The union, which advocates for airport employees, is against the proposed agreement with India’s Adani Airport Holdings, which was disclosed last month. The union contends that the agreement will result in employment losses and the recruitment of non-Kenyan workers.

On Sunday, the union’s secretary general, Moss Ndiema, announced that the strike notice would be postponed due to the upcoming negotiations with the state-run airports authority and the transport ministry.

“If the meeting fails to reach any agreement, the union will issue fresh strike notice for its members.”

The airport is a significant regional aviation center, and a strike would result in a substantial disruption to the region’s air traffic.

The government has declared that the airport is not for sale and that no judgment has been made regarding the potential public-private partnership with the Adani company to enhance the gateway.

The airports authority has stated that Adani intends to enhance the passenger terminal and construct a second runway at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport if its proposal is approved.

The Kenyan government has stated that the airport is currently overextended and requires urgent enhancements, which are expected to cost $2 billion. The airport is capable of accommodating 7.5 million passengers annually.