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The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has issued a seven-day strike notice, demanding the resignation of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) board over unresolved labour disputes and the fallout from a controversial airport leasing deal that was later cancelled.
The strike, if it goes ahead, is expected to disrupt operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi’s main gateway and one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs. A prolonged work stoppage could also affect regional connectivity, as JKIA serves as a key transit point for international flights across East and Central Africa.
KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema confirmed the union’s decision in a letter dated September 23, 2025, which was seen by Reuters. The letter accused the KAA board of incompetence and failing to safeguard Kenya’s best interests.
“The epitome of the board’s incompetence and lack of touch with reality is the recent events involving the Adani deal and other decisions,” Ndiema wrote, without providing details on how long the strike would last if triggered.
Ndiema declined to state the exact date the industrial action would commence but noted that it could begin any time once the seven-day notice period lapses.
The KAA has yet to issue an official response to the union’s demands.
The standoff comes a year after JKIA workers staged a one-day strike over concerns about a proposed plan to lease the airport to the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate led by billionaire Gautam Adani, one of Asia’s richest men. The leasing plan was heavily criticised by aviation stakeholders and labour groups, who argued it would undermine national interests and risk local jobs.
The controversy deepened earlier this year when U.S. authorities indicted Adani and seven others over allegations of paying approximately $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials. Although the Adani Group denied the claims, the indictment placed pressure on the Kenyan government, which subsequently scrapped the proposed lease.
The fallout from the cancelled deal has left lingering mistrust between aviation workers and the KAA board. Workers accuse the board of mishandling critical negotiations, jeopardising Kenya’s aviation assets, and making decisions without sufficient consultation.
Union officials argue that the leadership crisis at KAA is undermining the stability of the aviation sector at a time when Kenya is seeking to strengthen its regional position. They say the current board has failed to adequately address workers’ welfare, job security, and long-term strategic planning.
The strike threat adds pressure on the government to intervene quickly, given the potential economic and diplomatic consequences of disruptions at JKIA. The airport handles millions of passengers annually and is a major hub for Kenya Airways, the national carrier, and several international airlines.
Kenya’s aviation sector has been recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with passenger traffic and cargo volumes steadily rising. Analysts warn that a strike could derail this momentum and damage Kenya’s reputation as a reliable transport hub.
Labour experts note that the union’s notice is also a strategic move to force urgent dialogue before the busy holiday season begins, when international traffic typically spikes. A prolonged disruption could affect tourism, trade, and business travel, impacting sectors that rely heavily on air transport.
While the government has not publicly commented on the matter, industry observers say a mediated solution may be necessary to avoid escalation. The dispute also raises broader concerns about governance and transparency in managing Kenya’s state-owned enterprises.
For now, stakeholders across the aviation and travel industry are closely monitoring developments, aware that the next seven days could determine whether the sector faces another wave of industrial unrest or reaches a compromise that averts disruption.
