KCAA implements emergency plans as airport staff strike looms
By Aloys Michael, February 16, 2026The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has activated emergency measures in response to a planned strike by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU).
In a statement on Monday, February 16, 2026, KCAA said that it will ensure that critical aviation safety and air navigation protocols remain active to ensure seamless air traffic during the strike, which was scheduled to start today.
The authority is also actively engaging aviation stakeholders, in accordance with relevant laws and court directives, so as to reach an amicable agreement with the workers.
“The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) wishes to inform the public and aviation stakeholders that it has activated its operational continuity measures in light of the planned industrial action by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU),” the statement read.
“KCAA remains fully committed to its statutory mandate of ensuring the safety, security, and regulatory oversight of Kenya’s civil aviation sector. Critical aviation safety and air navigation functions remain operational and are being managed in accordance with established contingency protocols.”
The operational continuity measures are expected to stop any service disruption at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other airports.
KAWU announced a nationwide strike on Monday, February 9, 2026, to protest stalled collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, delayed union dues remittance, and claims of discrimination against contract staff.
“We are determined to deliver a CBA in one week if management accepts that those grades are unionisable. But if they continue to place barriers in our way, we are prepared to act,” KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema said.
The union accused the KCAA management of refusing to negotiate and failing to implement long-pending agreements dating back to 2015, despite several engagement attempts.
KAWU warned that the industrial action could disrupt air traffic operations, airport management, and technical services across Kenya.
However, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) temporarily blocked the planned strike, issuing an interim order prohibiting any industrial action that could affect operations until the court case is scheduled for hearing and determination on February 26, 2026.
Following ELRC’s decision, the KCAA reassured the public that all flight operations would continue safely and without disruption throughout the standoff.
“KCAA understands that this situation may raise concerns among passengers, airline partners, employees, and the wider public,’’ it said.