NAIROBI (Reuters) -Kenya’s main aviation union said it would call a strike from next Monday over a proposed deal with an Indian company to develop the country’s biggest airport – industrial action that could cause major disruption in the east African travel hub. The Kenya Adani strike highlights broader issues surrounding foreign investments in local infrastructure. #KenyaAdaniStrike
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union stated that the deal with India’s Adani Airport Holdings could lead to job losses. They also expressed concerns about the influx of non-Kenyan workers.
The union urged the government to cancel the “unlawful intended sale of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings” in a seven-day strike notice issued Monday.
Kenya’s government stated that the airport is not for sale. They have not decided whether to proceed with the proposed public-private partnership.
An Adani Group spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.
Any walkout could also cause significant disruption to national carrier Kenya Airways.
“We shall reconsider our intention to engage in industrial action … only if the Adani Airport Holdings Limited’s deal is abandoned in its entirety,” Kenya Aviation Workers Union Secretary General Moss Ndiema said in the strike notice.
He repeated a call for the entire board of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to resign.
The KAA confirmed receiving a strike notice on Monday. Spokesperson Elijah Miano stated, “We hope to resolve the issue through negotiation.”
The authority has said Adani would add a second runway at JKIA and upgrade the passenger terminal. #KenyaAdaniStrike
Kenya Airways Chief Executive Allan Kilavuka did not respond to a request for comment.
The dispute underscores the need for transparent negotiations and fair agreements. Therefore, stakeholders are urging a resolution to avoid further economic impact
read more
