The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) reached a plea deal with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to secure the release of 10 arrested officials in exchange for halting their industrial action.
The workers' go-slow at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) last week caused widespread travel disruptions, stranding thousands of passengers across Kenya.
All criminal charges against the 10 KAWU members, including Secretary General Moss Ndiema, have been dropped by the DPP. The officials named in the agreement are Nicholus Barasa, Robert Lichoro, Charles Mwangi Mwaura, Dan Kataka Musa, Martha Wangeci Warui, Maxwell Chopdekar Osaka, Joyrender Achieng Ochieng, Selina Awala, and Richard Bwabuz Mitei.
The settlement requires KAWU to end its strike and return to work immediately, complying with an Employment and Labour Relations Court order issued on March 5, 2019.
The agreement explicitly prohibits victimization of union leaders or employees by the Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Airways PLC, Tradewinds Aviation Services, or any other JKIA employer affected by the industrial action.
