Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Passengers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have been forced to endure uncomfortable conditions, spending the night outside the terminals due to an ongoing strike by aviation workers. The strike is in protest against the Adani takeover deal, which involves Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. managing the airport for the next 30 years.
The government has defended the proposal, saying the airport is operating beyond capacity and needs private investment to upgrade it.
The strike, which began at midnight on Tuesday, has led to significant disruptions. Several flights have been canceled or delayed, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
On Wednesday, many passengers were seen milling around the terminal buildings, waiting for updates on their flights.
Kenya Airways Plc has warned its customers about potential cancellations, and Jambojet, a low-cost carrier, has halted all of its flights at JKIA until further notice.
The industrial action adds to the challenges faced by President William Ruto’s administration. The government is already grappling with fallout from street protests that occurred in June and July, where demonstrations against proposed tax measures led to over 60 deaths.
“The growing public resistance to government policies highlights the administration’s struggle to gain widespread support for its policies and reform agenda,” BancTrust & Co. said in an emailed note.
Recently, a Kenyan court issued an order to suspend the implementation of Adani’s takeover proposal until it can make a final ruling on the matter.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union, led by Secretary-General Moss Ndiema, is spearheading the strike with the objective of preventing the government from transferring control of the regional hub to Adani.
The union is also seeking resolution of long-standing disputes related to collective-bargaining agreements.
“If the two things are addressed, then the strike ends immediately,” Ndiema said by phone. About 10,000 of the union’s 16,000 members are based at JKIA.
The state-run Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has stated that the strike is in violation of the court order and has highlighted that more than 40 passenger airlines and 25 cargo carriers operate out of JKIA.
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Last year, JKIA served 8.21 million passengers, accounting for two-thirds of Kenya’s air travelers, according to Kenya’s statistics agency. Under the proposed deal, Adani’s company is set to upgrade the airport, including constructing a second runway and a new passenger terminal.
The ongoing strike has disrupted airport operations significantly, leading to widespread inconvenience for travelers.
Passengers are advised to stay updated on their flight statuses and prepare for possible continued delays until the strike is resolved.
Under the proposal, the Adani Group plans to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in exchange for a substantial $1.85 billion investment. This investment would fund significant upgrades, including the construction of a new runway and a modernized passenger terminal.
Founded by billionaire Gautam Adani, the Adani Group operates in diverse industries such as commodities trading, airport management, utilities, port operations, and renewable energy.
In July, protests erupted in Kenya against the takeover, with demonstrators threatening to shut down JKIA. They cited allegations of corruption involving the Adani Group as their primary concern.
Gautam Adani is often seen as having close ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a connection that has led to accusations that he has gained from this relationship—claims which he denies.
Additionally, last year, a US-based investment firm accused the Adani Group of extensive stock manipulation and accounting fraud over several decades.
While the Adani Group has dismissed these allegations, India’s market regulator has initiated an investigation into the matter.
