Thousands of passengers were stranded for the better part of yesterday as workers at Kenya’s major airports downed tools to protest the planned takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Indian firm, Adani Group.

Dozens of airlines operating domestic and international routes delayed or altogether cancelled their flights following the strike that paralysed operations at JKIA, the airports in Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu, and other satellite airports and airstrips scattered across the country.

Only arriving flights were processed, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at the domestic and international departure terminals at JKIA for tmost of the day.

Hundreds of passengers could be seen with their luggage as they awaited word from their respective airlines.

No information

Travellers who spoke to People Daily said they had not received any information from their airlines.

“I was supposed to fly to the UK at 8am, but now I have no idea when I will be able to leave. I only received a message that my flight has been delayed,” John Kariuki said.

Another passenger expressed her frustrations about the lack of communication from authorities.

“I was here as early as 8am because my flight to Mombasa was scheduled for 11:30 am. I have been waiting here for hours with no information about it. This is disappointing,” said Abigail Ngina.

Airport authorities confirmed that only arrivals were being processed as negotiations between managers and striking workers continued.

In a statement, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) apologised for the inconvenience caused by the workers’ strike at JKIA.

The authority was working round the clock to restore normality, said KAA acting chief executive Henry Ogoye in a statement.

“We regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during this period,” Ogoye said.

National carrier Kenya Airways also warned about delays and possible cancellations.

“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.

Layoffs worries

The strike also saw Jambojet suspending all its flights to and from JKIA.
The airline, in a statement, directed its customers to put on hold their travel to JKIA pending further directives.

“Jambojet wishes to notify guests of flight disruptions due to the ongoing strike by airport workers. All our flights scheduled to land and takeoff from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) are hereby on hold until further notice,” the statement said.

COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli visited JKIA and expressed support for the strike, blaming the manager for not consulting unions.

“This thing would have been averted if they had consulted the union. I personally tried to call former CS Murkomen, but he didn’t pick my calls. Our ministers are very arrogant, they only pick calls from businessmen,” Atwoli said.

Atwoli also asked the striking workers to stay put as he promised to hold talks with the management to find a solution.

“Please be patient, I am going to have a meeting now and I will be back after some few hours,” he told them.

Kenya Aviation Workers Union secretary general Moss Ndiema, in issuing a strike notice, had expressed worries that such a deal was likely to bring massive layoffs, introduce foreign workers, and worsen working conditions.

At Moi International Airport in Mombasa, there was confusion as hundreds of passengers, many bound for Nairobi, arrived only to find services halted, causing massive delays in processing departures.

The strike, which erupted without prior notice, has brought operations at the airport to a standstill.

Both Kenya Airways and Jambojet were quick to announce flight disruptions. The workers vowed to maintain the strike until further notice.

Travellers like Abdi Fatah, who was scheduled to fly to Frankfurt, Germany, via Nairobi, found himself stranded. “I had already booked my Jambojet flight to Nairobi, but we’ve now been told there are no flights,” Fatah said.

His brother, Hussein Abdi, mulled taking the Standard Gauge Railway to Nairobi, but all trains were fully booked. 

“Jambojet made it clear there are no flights today, but there are no plans to refund the tickets. Instead, they’ve left them open for 12 months, which doesn’t help because we need to fly to Germany on an important trip,” he lamented.

Other passengers, including Noreen Williams, also faced delays. Williams, who had an important appointment in Nairobi, arrived at the airport at 7am for her 9:45am flight.

It’s been three hours and no one has given us answers. I received an update about the JKIA strike this morning, but nothing here. It’s frustrating, and now I’m trying to see if I can get a refund and make alternate travel plans,” she said.

Airport workers voiced concerns over the Adani deal, fearing it would have a negative impact on their jobs at the Kenya Airports Authority.

“Every single airport worker is on strike because of the government’s secret deal with Adani. There are no departures because we are the ones who clear passengers. Management is trying to handle it, but it’s difficult for them,” said Ronnie Odhiambo, one of the striking workers.

The workers argue that the 30-year lease amounts to selling off Kenya’s key airport infrastructure. “The worst part is that after 30 years, Adani will still control parts of the airport,” said Kabare Mwangi, another worker.

Fredrick Onyango expressed frustration over what he said was a lack of transparency. “JKIA is the face of the region, and the government is keeping us in the dark.

We are protecting our jobs. Adani will come with his own terms, and some of us may lose our jobs,” Onyango said.

A similar situation unfolded at Eldoret International Airport, with passengers left stranded.
Some passengers who were to travel to Mombasa and Nairobi were shocked upon arriving at the airport to find that their flights had been suspended indefinitely.

No warning

Speaking to reporters, Bishop Charles Mwanda said he was surprised to find that flight operations at the airport had been suspended.

The cleric was scheduled to travel to Mombasa for a week-long workshop.

He faulted the Kenya Airport Authority for not alerting travellers about flight delays so that they could make alternative arrangements.

“I arrived at Eldoret International Airport at 7:30am expecting the Jambojet flight that I had booked to take off at 9:05am to Mombasa,” he complained.

Some stranded passengers expressed support for the striking airport workers, urging them to stay put and never allow Adani to be trusted with running and managing local airports.

“Though we are counting losses due to this strike, issues being raised by KAA employees opposed to the leasing of our airports to a foreign company are valid,” said one passenger who was to fly to Nairobi via Kenya Airways and who declined to be named.

At Kisumu International Airport, the situation was no different as hundreds of passengers were left stranded due to the strike.

Stories by Alvin Mwangi, Reuben Mwambingu, Winstone Chiseremi and Kepher Otieno