A planned strike at Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union has been postponed for two weeks to allow for further dialogue. The strike, initially set to commence on August 19, involves approximately 10,000 union members who are contesting a proposed investment agreement between the Kenyan government and India's Adani Group. The agreement aims to enhance and manage JKIA's facilities. "After deliberations, we have resolved to postpone our strike for two weeks to give dialogue a chance," stated Moss Ndiema, the union's secretary-general. A meeting with the transport ministry is scheduled for Tuesday.
The union has expressed concerns over the deal, viewing it as a covert privatization effort of the airport. The strike is now slated to begin on September 2, pending the outcome of the discussions. The arrangement with Adani involves a $1.85 billion investment to expand the airport, including adding a second runway and upgrading the passenger terminal, as per the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA). This move is defended by the Kenyan government as a crucial step in modernizing JKIA, which faces operational challenges such as power outages and leaks.
The KAA has highlighted that the deal will undergo comprehensive reviews. JKIA is a critical hub in Africa, handling 8.8 million passengers and 380,000 tonnes of cargo in the 2022/23 financial year and contributing over five percent to Kenya's GDP.
Source: africaninsider.com