Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called for the release of aviation workers arrested during protests over the JKIA-Adani deal.

Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Atwoli promised to hold a meeting with the government over the debacle.

“The shop stewards who have been arrested should be released immediately. That is part of the conditions on what we are advocating,” Atwoli stated.

Atwoli has blamed the government for failing to consult aviation workers in the proposed deal, which would see Adani take over JKIA operations for 30 years.

“This would have been easier if they called the union and explained to them (the situation). The stake is owned by the workers. You cannot say you have consulted other stakeholders when the owners of the stake have not been consulted,” Atwoli added.

Travellers stranded

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, hundreds of travellers were stranded at JKIA as aviation workers staged a go-slow in protest against proposed plans to lease the airport to the Indian company.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) is demanding the immediate resignation of the entire board of directors over the intended lease of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings of India while they should have exercised prudence and accountability as the custodians of the national asset on behalf of Kenyans.

“Formally notify you that all unionise employees of Kenya Airways and Kenya Airports Authority shall go on strike after the expiry of seven (7) days from today, 12th August 2024,” the KAWU strike notice reads in part.

“For Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), this action is necessitated by your failure to heed our demands conveyed via our three letters dated 6th August 2024 which demanded the immediate resignation of the entire Board of Directors for their show of incompetence in presiding over the unlawful intended sale of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings of India while they should have exercised prudence and accountability as the custodians of this national strategic asset on behalf of Kenyans.”

The Union also demanded the immediate resignation of the KAA officials on account of their inability to hold public office.

“We also demanded your immediate resignation and that of the General Manager of Human Resource Development, Mr. Anthony Njagi, and the General Manager of Engineering, Mr Meshack Ochieng Otwaro on account of your inability to hold public office due to incompetence and questionable integrity as demonstrated by the unprofessional and unlawful manner in which you are orchestrating the sale of JKIA to Adani Group of India, your undying appetite for impunity, and disrespect of the rule of law, among others,” KAWU strike notice reads.