Kenya Aviation Union Strikes Over Proposed Adani Airport Deal

Kenya's main aviation union announced a strike starting next week against a deal with India's Adani Airport Holdings to upgrade Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The union fears job losses and non-Kenyan workers. The government insists the airport is not for sale but needs improvements costing $2 billion.

Kenya's principal aviation union declared on Monday it would initiate a strike early next week to oppose a proposed agreement with India's Adani Airport Holdings aimed at developing the nation's main airport.

A potential walkout could significantly disrupt national carrier Kenya Airways and operations at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), a crucial regional travel hub. According to the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, the deal could result in job losses and the hiring of non-Kenyan workers, and described it as an 'unlawful intended sale of JKIA to Adani Airport Holdings of India' in its seven-day strike notice issued on Monday.

Government officials have stated that the airport is not for sale, and no final agreement has been reached regarding a proposed public-private partnership for airport upgrades. 'We shall reconsider our intention to engage in industrial action ... only if the Adani Airport Holdings Limited's deal is abandoned in its entirety,' said Moss Ndiema, the union's secretary general.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) asserted Adani would add a second runway at JKIA and upgrade its passenger terminal. KAA confirmed on Monday that it had received a strike notice, but spokesperson Elijah Miano expressed hope that a resolution could be reached through negotiation.

Kenya Airways Chief Executive Allan Kilavuka did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Furthermore, a nationwide protest movement that arose in June against proposed tax hikes has criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the Adani deal.

Last month police prevented protesters from accessing JKIA, which they had aimed to shut down. The government explained in a statement last month that JKIA was operating beyond its 7.5 million passengers per year capacity and needed crucial improvements, citing issues like leaking roofs that have caused 'international embarrassment.'

The statement noted that modernizing JKIA could cost $2 billion, funds the government is unable to provide due to the current tight fiscal situation. It also stated that Adani's offer was under review, with assurances that any final deal would include safeguards to protect Kenya's national interests.

(With inputs from agencies.)