Operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi are set to face disruptions on Monday, August 12, 2024, as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has announced a go-slow. The workers will halt their duties for three hours, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, as they proceed to issue a seven-day strike notice to the government. This move is part of a broader protest against a proposed deal to lease the management of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, an Indian conglomerate.
KAWU, through its Secretary-General Moss Ndiema, announced that the union members would not be available for duty during the stated hours as they plan to march to the office of the Managing Director of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). The union intends to deliver a seven-day strike notice, which could lead to more severe disruptions if the government does not address their concerns.
“We will not be available for duty for two to three hours because we will be joining the procession to the KAA managing director’s office where we will be issuing a seven-day strike notice,” said Ndiema. He emphasized that while the union does not plan to launch a strike immediately, the go-slow is a clear signal of their determination to oppose the proposed lease.
The crux of KAWU’s grievances lies in the proposed 30-year concession of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. The union has voiced strong opposition to this plan, citing concerns over job security and the potential impact on the livelihoods of thousands of Kenyan workers. According to Ndiema, the union and its members have been excluded from the decision-making process, which he argues should have involved proper public participation.
KAWU’s opposition comes amid reports that the Kenya Airports Authority has yet to conduct adequate public consultations on the proposal by the Indian firm. The union is concerned that the deal could result in significant job losses, with Ndiema stating that “we have never been involved as a union and as representatives of the workers. Further, this deal will lead to a lot of job losses.”
The proposed deal with Adani Airport Holdings includes the construction of a new runway, a terminal, and the refurbishment of existing infrastructure at JKIA. However, KAWU argues that KAA, which they claim is valued at Ksh 1.1 trillion, is more than capable of funding these projects without resorting to privatization.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has defended the government’s decision, explaining that Adani Airport Holdings submitted a Privately Initiated Proposal as per the Public-Private Partnership Act in March 2024. The proposal is currently under scrutiny. Mudavadi further highlighted that the expansion of JKIA, which has already outpaced its original capacity of 7.5 million passengers annually to the current 8.6 million, is expected to cost Ksh 260 billion ($2 billion). The project aims to increase the airport’s capacity to handle at least 30 million passengers annually over the next three decades.
However, KAWU remains unconvinced, insisting that KAA can mobilize the necessary resources independently. The union’s stance is clear: they will not support any deal that jeopardizes job security for the thousands of employees currently working at JKIA. Ndiema emphasized that “this will affect not less than 20,000 households. KAA alone, we are looking at about 3,000 employees.”
As the situation unfolds, the union’s threats to paralyze operations at JKIA underscore the gravity of the workers’ concerns. With a strike notice looming, the government faces mounting pressure to address these issues and find a resolution that balances the need for infrastructure development with the protection of workers’ rights.
