Striking airport workers this morning crippled operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
What started as a go-slow last night snowballed into full-blown disruptions Wednesday morning.
Critical operations were severely affected, with flights delayed and hundreds of passengers stranded. A spot check of critical sections of the terminals showed no activity as workers stayed away from their workstations.
This strike was organized by the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union, KAWU, following the collapse of negotiations with the management of the airport.
The striking workers want several members of the KAA Board and three senior managers whom they accuse of incompetence and mishandling of the Adani leasing agreement to be sacked.
The officers have been deployed to the airport with a view to avoiding further escalation of the situation.
“Everybody, please calm down,” officers said over a loudspeaker as they tried to manage the situation. Despite this, some workers were arrested on grounds of disrupting operations, chanting slogans like “Adani must go,” and blowing whistles.
We will not go back to work until our demands are met,” a worker said, speaking to the media.
The workers are not only protesting the Adani deal but also have complaints against some members of the KAA Board and want them booted out.
Scenes of confusion and frustration were witnessed at JKIA Terminal. Passengers were delayed in Terminal 2E, with all its many inconveniences, while discussions between KAWU and airport management went on without any hint of yielding.
Instead of the usual bustle, the airport was a drama of tense moments with waits and anticipation for the ongoing strike to end by passengers and workers alike.
