Strike Disrupts Kenya’s Main Airport

A strike by aviation workers at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi left hundreds of passengers stranded. The industrial action was sparked by opposition to a proposed 30-year lease of the airport to India’s Adani Group.
Workers, concerned about potential job losses and lack of transparency, protested outside the airport, causing significant flight disruptions. The government argues that private investment is necessary to upgrade the overcapacity airport. However, unions and civil society groups have raised concerns about leasing a strategic national asset to a private company.
The Adani Group, founded by billionaire Gautam Adani, has faced controversy, including allegations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud, which the company denies. The proposed $1.85 billion investment would involve building a new runway and improving the passenger terminal.
The deal is currently on hold pending a judicial review. After negotiations, union leaders agreed to return to work, having received assurances that the Adani deal would not be finalized without their approval.
The strike highlights the tensions surrounding privatization of public assets and the need for transparent processes in such deals. It also underscores the critical role of JKIA in regional transportation and the potential impact of labor disputes on international travel.