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Operations Paralyzed at Kenya’s JKIA as Workers Strike Over Adani Deal

Storyline:Business, World

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Hundreds of travelers were stranded Wednesday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya after a section of aviation workers went on a go-slow.

Late Tuesday, long queues of stranded travelers characterized the airport after boarding and takeoff were delayed, sparking an outrage as many other travelers were stranded on Wednesday after their trips were canceled.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) on August 12 issued a strike notice after expressing their displeasure over the proposed leasing of JKIA to the Indian conglomerate Adani Group.

The workers had raised several concerns that such a deal was likely to see massive layoffs, introduction of foreign workers, and deterioration of working conditions.

Further, they demanded the sacking of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Board of Directors and three senior managers to go, citing incompetence and mishandling of the leasing agreement.

The strike called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) comes barely a day after the High Court temporarily halted the proposed leasing of the airfield following a suit filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) at the High Court.

The two entities challenged the push to take over the running of JKIA by the Indian company for a period of 30 years and argued that the airport is a strategic and profitable national asset.

The petitioners said the deal is irrational and violates the principles of good governance, accountability, transparency, and prudent and responsible use of public money.

The Indian firm has proposed to upgrade the airport, including the construction of a second runway and a new passenger terminal under a 30-year lease. 

In the Sh246 billion deal, the Gautam Adani-owned Indian firm would upgrade the airport, including the construction of a second runway and a new passenger terminal, under a 30-year-build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.

The firm will also be expected to carry out renovations and refurbishments to the airport. It will also be responsible for the development and operation of JKIA-  Kenya’s largest aviation facility and East Africa’s busiest airport.