NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 11 – The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has called off its strike after a day of disruptions that crippled air transport services.
Union Secretary General Moses Ndiema announced that operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), which was heavily impacted by the strike, will resume.
The decision came after a meeting with government officials, including Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, and other key stakeholders.
Ndiema urged airport workers to return to their duties and called on the government not to victimize anyone who participated in the industrial action.
“We have finished the strike. No workers should be harassed. They should be treated well and given ample time to return to work,” he said.
The industrial action, which left passengers stranded and disrupted flights at JKIA, Moi International Airport, Eldoret International Airport, and Kisumu International Airport, was triggered by the government’s plan to lease JKIA.
The Indian Adani Group is reportedly the company the government is considering for leasing the airport.
The move has sparked outrage due to concerns over the company’s integrity and its past interactions with other countries.
Through Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, the Kenyan government has downplayed the plan, noting that “the venture is only but a proposal.”
The proposed lease has led to public outrage, with stakeholders expressing fears that the deal could undermine Kenya’s sovereignty and control over its key infrastructure.
While the government’s push for the lease is part of a broader strategy to attract foreign investment and improve airport operations the choice of Adani Group has drawn criticism for potentially prioritizing business interests over national concerns.
The Adani Group has faced criticism and legal challenges in the past, including allegations of regulatory non-compliance and corruption.
The issues have fueled skepticism about the company’s suitability for managing a critical national asset like JKIA.
Source: capitalfm
