- Kenyan aviation workers have called off their strike.
- The protest was ignited by concerns over the planned leasing of East Africa’ busiest airport to India’s Adani Group.
- Under a 30-year, $1.85 billion deal, Adani Group seeks to make extensive upgrades Kenya’s JKIA.
After hours of boycotting, which left hundreds of passengers stranded and paralyzed flight operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenyan aviation workers have called off their strike. The protest, ignited by employment and other concerns over the planned leasing of East Africa’s busiest airport to India’s Adani Group, saw a temporary halt to the country’s major air transportation hub.
Protests erupt in Kenya over Adani Group deal
The strike, which began late Tuesday night, was spearheaded by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU). Chanting “Adani Must Go!” and rallying against the deal, the workers expressed their dissatisfaction with the proposed leasing of JKIA to the controversial Adani Group. The workers raised concerns about the potential loss of jobs and the long-term impacts the deal could have on Kenya’s aviation industry.
The Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate with a controversial global track record, was set to take over JKIA’s operations under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Under the proposed 30-year, $1.85 billion deal, the company planned to make extensive upgrades to the airport, including building a second runway, adding a new passenger terminal, and renovating the existing facilities.
However, this ambitious plan has been met with resistance from various sectors, including human rights organizations and labour unions in Kenya, who argue that the project does not in any way prioritize Kenyan interests.
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Negotiations lead to strike suspension
Following a tense standoff, the workers’ union, Kenya Airways, and the Kenya Airports Authority reached an agreement with the government after a meeting with Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir on Wednesday afternoon. The outcome of this meeting was the suspension of the strike and an assurance that no workers would face victimization for participating in the protests.
CS Chirchir sought to quell the workers’ fears, stating, “I want to assure you that the Cabinet is here to protect the interests of our Kenyans. We all agree that we need a new airport, and we need new investments.”
He went on to address concerns over JKIA’s current state, especially during Kenya’s recent El Niño season, which had exposed infrastructural weaknesses, including leaking terminals. “We need the kind of airports we see in developed economies to be able to create opportunities by attracting more visitors to our country,” Chirchir added.
This statement, while aimed at reassuring workers and the public, did little to dispel fears over job security and national ownership of a crucial infrastructure. Many continue to believe that the deal, which has been promoted by President William Ruto, does not adequately safeguard Kenyan jobs or aviation assets.
“Your Excellency, ADANI-JKIA Deal stinks to the High Heavens if not the lowest depths of hell! From the documents available in public, the entire deal was structured to steal money from the public,” states lawyer Donald Kipkorir on X (formerly Twitter).
In yet another post, Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka stated, “The current situation of a go slow at JKIA was AVOIDABLE, but gov’t listens to no one. The issues I raised about Adani in the Senate on 17th July 2024 are yet to be responded to by the CS Roads & Transport. Gov’t is still keeping the details about the deal a top SECRET, why?”
Flight disruptions and passenger struggles
As negotiations get underway, the effects of the strike were felt keenly by passengers. Long queues stretched through JKIA’s terminals as travelers waited anxiously for their flights. Some passengers, particularly those with international connections, found themselves stranded for hours. Others, frustrated by delays and uncertainty, were forced to cancel their trips altogether.
In a statement released by Kenya Airways, the national carrier acknowledged the disruptions, stating, “Due to the action by some JKIA staff, there have been delays and possible cancellations of certain flights.” Although normal operations have since resumed, the incident underscores the fragility of Kenya’s aviation sector and its reliance on the smooth functioning of JKIA.
Global concerns and local fears on Adani Group
At the heart of the dispute is the Adani Group, a giant in the global infrastructure and energy sectors, but not without controversy. The company has faced numerous allegations, including environmental violations, political favouritism, and questionable labour practices. Its global operations, spanning ports, power plants, and airports, have often sparked protests and legal challenges.
For many Kenyan workers and advocacy groups, the question is not just about infrastructural upgrades or foreign investment; it’s about who ultimately benefits from the deal. Aviation workers fear that the leasing arrangement could lead to job losses, reduced wages, or exploitative labour practices. In their view, the privatization of a key national asset like JKIA threatens not only their livelihoods but also Kenya’s control over a critical component of its economy.
“This is mockery to our sovereignty. Kenya Airports Authority has been performing these duties through a concession order. ADANI is coming in with empty hands. WE REJECT ADANI,” the Kenya Aviation Workers Union stated on X.
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The forward for JKIA?
Despite the strike’s suspension, the underlying tensions surrounding the Adani Group deal remain. While the government has defended the proposed partnership as a necessary step toward modernizing JKIA and boosting Kenya’s global competitiveness, the concerns of workers and other stakeholders cannot be easily dismissed.
JKIA, which controls 80 percent of Kenya’s network passengers and 90 percent of its cargo business, is a vital economic artery for the nation. Its efficient operation is essential not only for tourism and trade but also for Kenya’s standing as a regional hub for air travel. With a designed capacity to process 35 aircraft per hour, JKIA has long been one of East Africa’s most important transportation hubs.
However, as the Kenyan government continues to seek investment in the country’s infrastructure, the debate over the balance between foreign partnerships and protecting local interests is likely to persist. The outcome of the JKIA-Adani Group lease deal, and how it is managed, could set a precedent for how Kenya navigates future public-private partnerships in critical sectors.
While the immediate crisis has been averted, Kenyan aviation workers and the public will be watching closely as the lease negotiations progress. For now, the suspension of the strike offers a reprieve for passengers and a chance for dialogue, but the broader questions of transparency, job security, and national interest loom large.
