Kenya Airports Authority workers initiated a strike in March 2019 to protest the proposed transfer of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) management to Kenya Airways, according to statements from MP Babu Owino.
Owino, representing JKIA’s constituency, criticized the plan as harmful to national interests. He highlighted KAA’s 2018 Africa’s Airport of the Year award for air cargo excellence, contrasting it with Kenya Airways’ financial struggles. The airline reported net losses of 5.6 billion shillings in 2017 and 4 billion shillings in 2018, with total debt exceeding 100 billion shillings.
The MP warned that the takeover could lead to job losses, conflicting with the government’s Big 4 agenda to create employment. He condemned the arrest of Kenya Airport Workers Union Secretary General Moss Ndiema as unconstitutional and urged workers to resist intimidation.
Owino called for stakeholder dialogue, engaging transport and treasury officials to advocate for KAA’s continued management of JKIA. He emphasized that the airport’s success should not be disrupted by a financially unstable entity.
MP Babu Owino, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Constituency
