Kenya’s aviation workers have suspended a nationwide strike that disrupted flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and other airports across the country for two days. The workers reached an agreement with the government on Tuesday after negotiations over pay, working conditions and other outstanding grievances.
The strike, which began on Sunday, left hundreds of passengers stranded at JKIA, with several travellers reporting lengthy delays and cancellations. Kenya Airways said some flights were delayed by more than six hours, while the backlog forced the airline to cancel a number of departures. Flight-tracking data also showed several flights being delayed, cancelled or diverted.
Under the agreement reached with the government, the workers’ union directed its members to immediately resume duties and begin restoring normal airport operations. Union leader Moss Ndiema urged workers already on duty to start clearing the accumulated flight backlog, while Transport Minister Davis Chirchir said both sides had agreed on a way forward to address the issues that triggered the industrial action.
The disruption has raised concerns about the economic impact of industrial disputes in Kenya’s aviation sector. JKIA is one of East Africa’s busiest aviation hubs and a major gateway between Kenya, the wider continent and international destinations. The airport handled about nine million passengers last year, according to Kenyan authorities, and has experienced several strikes in recent years as workers demand improved pay and working conditions.
