Several passengers are stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after aviation workers downed tools to protest over takeover by Indian firm Adani Airport Holdings.
In photos and videos seen by shared on social media on Wednesday morning, September 11, there were long queues at the airport as operations came to a standstill.
The aviation workers, on the other hand, were chanting and whistling as they protested against the Adani takeover deal.
Uzalendo News has learnt that the airport has been completely grounded, with no flights taking off since midnight. Passengers arriving from abroad are being mixed with those departing.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Kenya Airways notified its customers of flight delays and cancellations due to the strike.
“Kenya Airways would like to alert you that due to the action by some JKIA staff, this has resulted in some delays and possible cancellations of some of our flights for both departing and arriving passengers,” KQ said in a statement.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Assistant Treasurer Daniel Yatich confirmed that the strike began at midnight and is still ongoing.
Aviation workers have over the past few weeks voiced opposition to the proposed lease of Jkia to Adani Group, an Indian airport operator.
However, the government says that the company is only set to invest in a second runway and refurbishment of the existing facilities at JKIA.
