Kenya’s Main Aviation Union Threatens Strike Over Proposed Sale Of Nairobi Airport To Adani Airport Holdings

Kenya’s main aviation union has announced plans to strike next Monday in protest against a proposed deal with India’s Adani Airport Holdings to develop Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the country’s largest airport. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union, representing airport staff, claims the agreement could lead to job losses and the influx of non-Kenyan workers, sparking concerns over the future of local employment.

In a seven-day strike notice issued on Monday, the union called on the Kenyan government to abandon what it described as the “unlawful intended sale of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings.” The government, however, has maintained that the airport is not for sale and that no final decision has been made regarding the proposed public-private partnership to upgrade the airport.

The strike could cause major disruptions at JKIA, a crucial hub for East African travel, and potentially impact Kenya Airways, the nation’s flag carrier. Moss Ndiema, Secretary General of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, stated that the union would reconsider its planned industrial action only if the deal with Adani is completely scrapped. He also called for the resignation of the entire board of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).

Ndiema said, “We shall reconsider our intention to engage in industrial action … only if the Adani Airport Holdings Limited’s deal is abandoned in its entirety,”

In response, the KAA acknowledged receipt of the strike notice and expressed hope that a resolution could be reached through negotiation. The authority has previously stated that Adani’s involvement would include adding a second runway and upgrading the passenger terminal at JKIA. However, Adani Group and Kenya Airways have not provided any immediate comments on the matter.

Speaking on the Adani proposal in a statement last month, the government said that JKIA was stretched beyond its intended capacity of 7.5 million passengers a year and urgently needs to be improved. It noted that faults like leaking roofs had caused “international embarrassment”.

The statement indicated that modernising JKIA could cost $2 billion, a sum the government is “unable to finance due to the current tight fiscal situation.” It noted that Adani’s offer is under review, and if an agreement is reached, the government assured that safeguards would be in place to protect Kenya’s national interests.

Melissa Enoch

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