Kenya Airport Workers' Strike Enters Second Day, Disrupting Travel

Thousands of passengers faced significant disruptions at Kenya's main international airport on Monday as a go-slow strike by aviation workers entered its second day. The industrial action at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi has led to numerous flight delays and cancellations, leaving travelers stranded for hours.

The Kenya Aviation Workers' Union (KAWU) has identified the failure to conclude a collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority as a primary grievance. The union has also cited a lack of cooperation from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the low-cost carrier Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways.

The Kenya Airports Authority acknowledged on Sunday that some flights were experiencing delays but did not provide a reason. RwandAir, Rwanda's national carrier, announced on social media that it had cancelled two flights due to what it described as air traffic control challenges at the Nairobi airport.

Passengers described spending many hours at the terminal with little information. One traveler, Mendel Goldman, who was heading to a wedding in Florida, recounted a series of delays that ultimately led to his flight's cancellation. He noted that the earliest available alternative was not until the following night, leaving him waiting at the airport for over 12 hours.

KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema stated that negotiations with government officials on Sunday failed to resolve the issues. He confirmed that while talks were scheduled to resume on Monday morning, the strike action would continue in the meantime.