Forty-two (42) former employees of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have moved to court to challenge their dismissal from the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi.Â
The workers, who were sacked in late January 2026, allege that their employment was terminated unfairly and without following due process.Â
The affected workers comprise a significant portion of the Kenyan personnel at the Ngomeni-based facility.
The group filed a petition seeking reinstatement and compensation, arguing that the Italian agency breached local labour laws.
This legal battle follows years of friction between the Kenyan government and the Italian Space Agency over the management of the centre.
In March 2025, ASI had renewed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) meant to stabilise the workforce until 2028, making the sudden dismissals a surprise to the union.
The case adds further tension to the Kenya-Italy bilateral agreement, which Kenyan MPs have recently threatened to terminate due to allegations that Italy has reneged on training and profit-sharing commitments.
By Anthony Solly
