Kenya Airport Strike Over Adani Deal Causes Chaos

Passengers wait at a closed door at the departures of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on September 11, 2024. (Photo by Simon Maina / AFP)

NAIROBI, Kenya — A strike by workers at Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has led to significant disruptions, grounding flights and stranding passengers.

The protest is in response to a proposed deal with India's Adani Group, which would see the airport's operations leased out for 30 years in exchange for upgrades including a new runway and terminal.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has expressed concerns over potential job losses and worsened working conditions, leading to the strike action.

The move follows a temporary halt by the High Court on the deal's implementation, prompted by legal challenges citing a lack of transparency and potential violation of governance principles.

The chaos at JKIA, one of Africa's busiest airports, highlights the contentious nature of the agreement, with workers and civil society groups rallying against what they perceive as a threat to national assets and labor rights.