NAIROBI, KENYA – Thousands of travellers are still stuck at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other airports in Kenya amid a “go-slow” industrial action now in its second day, resulting in serious flight delays and cancellations.
The ongoing industrial action, which began on Sunday, was organised by the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU). It involves critical employees of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and regional airline Jambojet. According to KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema, work will not fully resume until concerns about remuneration, terms of service, job security, and career development are addressed.
Pictures from JKIA show grounded planes and disgruntled passengers waiting outside the airport with their luggage. Disgruntled travellers are annoyed by the abrupt strike and the lack of information.
A disgruntled traveller called Ruby vented her frustration: “They said they would get me on any plane that can go to Amsterdam… I have a baby waiting for me at home. I am frustrated; no one knows anything.”
The other affected traveller, Lucky Kitonyi, could not attend her master’s graduation ceremony in Rwanda because flights were unexpectedly cancelled. “I want to appeal to the government of Kenya to consider us because in no way will they be able to cause inconvenience to the entire country just because they’re not organised,” she said.
Further negotiations between government officials and union leaders continued on Monday after unsuccessful talks over the weekend.
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