Airport workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) initiated a strike following concerns over job security amid Kenya Airways' (KQ) proposed acquisition of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). The dispute centers on KQ's January submission of a Privately Initiated Investment Proposal to KAA, which outlines plans to rehire JKIA staff through a new entity managing the airport. The Kenya Airport Workers Union (KAWU) alleges the takeover would result in redundancies and highlights KQ's financial instability.
KAWU criticized KAA and the Ministry of Infrastructure for bypassing stakeholder engagement, citing postponed national forums and a rushed transaction process. The union's court filings in February accused officials of avoiding public scrutiny, stating, "Few members of the top management of KAA and the ministry responsible for infrastructure are in a hurry to complete the transaction. They do not want to involve key stakeholders in the decision-making process."
The union also raised concerns about KQ's Sh4 billion debt to KAA for airport usage fees, questioning how the airline would settle arrears while managing JKIA. "KQ is a private loss-making airline that owes KAA Sh4 billion. Kenya will lose billions of shillings in revenues, not to mention massive job losses that will ruin livelihoods," the union stated. KQ did not respond to queries by The Standard regarding the claims, including allegations of Sh1.3 billion in payments to executives and consultants.
