Adani deal: Aviation workers skeptical as gov’t assures intention is to modernise JKIA

After a day-long strike that caused significant disruptions at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other major airports across Kenya on Wednesday, workers have temporarily returned to their posts. 

However, the contentious issue at the heart of the protest, the government's plan to lease JKIA to India's Adani Group remains unresolved.

The strike, led by the Kenya Airports Workers Union (KAWU), brought airport operations to a standstill on Wednesday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. 

The workers were protesting the proposed 30-year lease agreement, which they fear could lead to job losses, reduced benefits, and worsened working conditions. 

The High Court had previously issued an order suspending the deal’s implementation.

The Adani Group’s proposal, submitted to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) in March 2024, aims to secure an 18pc equity stake in JKIA operations. 

In return, the company would receive a Sh6 billion concession fee, set to increase by 10pc every five(5) years. 

By June, the government had approved the necessary aviation policies, giving the green light for the project.

Workers voiced concerns about the transparency of the deal, questioning its potential impact on their job security and the future of the airport. 

The strike affected operations at JKIA in Nairobi, Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kisumu International Airport, and Eldoret Airport, leading to flight delays and cancellations. 

Passengers, including Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, were left stranded, with some missing important appointments.

Negotiations led by the Ministry of Transport, along with union representatives, resulted in a temporary agreement for workers to return to their duties. 

Despite the resumption of operations, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema made it clear that the workers have not endorsed the deal, and their return to work is conditional.

The union has been granted veto power, allowing them to block the lease if their concerns are not addressed.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who was instrumental in the negotiations, announced that further meetings would take place over the next 10 days to review the specifics of the deal.

Mr Atwoli emphasized that no final agreement would be signed without the consent of the workers.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir sought to reassure both the workers and the public, promising that all documents related to the lease would be submitted to the courts to ensure transparency. 

The government’s intention, he said, is to modernise JKIA’s infrastructure to meet growing passenger demands, but the workers remain skeptical.

On Thursday Mr Chirchir told Citizen TV's Sam Gituku that most Kenyans do not understand the procurement process.

“The deal is just like when I feel that we can do better in terms of hostels for students. An individual with a private entity can make a proposal to the Ministry of Education that if it provides land, he or she can construct hostels with certain specifications,” Mr Chirchir explained.

While normal operations have resumed at affected airports, the broader dispute over the future of JKIA continues. 

The upcoming 10-day review period will be crucial in determining whether the workers' concerns are addressed and whether the Adani deal will proceed. 

For now, the tension between the government and airport workers underscores a deeper conversation about public infrastructure and foreign investment in Kenya.