CHAOS erupted at Kenya’s major airports as workers went on strike to protest against a proposed deal that would see India’s Adani Group lease the country’s main international airport for 30 years, Reuters reports.
According to Reuters, the strike, which began at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), quickly spread to regional airports in Kisumu and Mombasa, causing significant disruptions to air travel across the country.
Dozens of airport workers, blowing plastic trumpets and chanting “Adani must go,” clashed with police as they voiced their opposition to the potential privatization of a key national asset. The proposed deal would see the Adani Group invest $1.85 billion in exchange for a 30-year lease of JKIA.
The strike resulted in numerous flight cancellations and delays, affecting hundreds of passengers. Major regional carriers, including Emirates, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and RwandAir, reported disruptions to their schedules. Passengers were left stranded, with many sitting on curbs and luggage trolleys outside the terminals as departure and arrival boards were shut off.
“It’s very poor,” Ahmed Abdulrahman, a frustrated passenger who had been waiting for six hours told Reuters. “Nobody is coming out to tell us anything, whether we should leave or look for a hotel or something.”
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union, which called for the indefinite strike, argues that the deal with Adani Group would lead to job losses and bring in non-Kenyan workers. However, the Kenyan government maintains that while the airport needs modernization due to operating above capacity, it is not for sale. Officials stated that no final decision has been made on the proposed public-private partnership to upgrade the site.
Despite the chaos, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority reported that air traffic control services remained fully operational, with landings and take-offs continuing uninterrupted. By midday, some normalcy had returned as police officers stepped in to conduct security checks in place of striking airport staff, according to Reuters.
The Adani Group, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, did not respond to requests for comment. The conglomerate currently operates seven airports in India and has faced criticism in the past for allegedly winning favors from ruling governments, accusations that both Indian officials and the Adani Group have denied.
As the strike continues, Kenya’s Transport Minister Davis Chirchir was reported to be meeting with union officials to address the situation. The outcome of these discussions could determine the future of both the proposed deal and the ongoing disruptions to Kenya’s air travel infrastructure.
This situation highlights the complex challenges faced by developing nations as they seek to modernize critical infrastructure while balancing national interests, worker concerns, and the involvement of international investors.
