A strike by airport staff has brought operations to a grinding halt at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
The strike, which began on Monday, is a response to the proposed takeover of JKIA by the Indian company Adani Group for 30 years.
The aviation workers’ union is protesting against the deal, citing concerns over potential job losses and demanding transparency in the negotiations.
After union members walked out on Wednesday morning, flights were delayed and cancelled.
As a result of the strike, passengers are facing severe disruptions, including long delays, extended check-in and check-out processes, and cancellations. Many have been forced to spend the night at the airport, awaiting a resolution to the situation.
The government has defended the proposal, saying the airport is operating beyond capacity and needs private investment to upgrade it.
In a statement, JKIA said: “As of 7:00 am, minimal operations had resumed. In the meantime, we are engaging relevant parties to normalise operations. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
The strike has also led to a significant backlog of flights, with many airlines suspending operations until further notice.
Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates and to plan accordingly.
The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission also criticised the plans, arguing that it is unreasonable to lease a strategic national asset to a private company.
The two parties filed a challenge to the High Court, which subsequently halted the deal to allow time for a judicial review.
The date for a final court decision has yet to be set.