Kenya Aviation Workers Strike Shuts Down Airports Amid Adani’s 30-Year Deal Monopoly
Secretive, Unexplained Activities by Adani Employees Around JKIA have Raised Concerns, Prompting Aviation Workers to Demand an Immediate Stop to their Actions.
Nairobi, Kenya – Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other major airports across Kenya as aviation workers went on strike, protesting the proposed takeover of JKIA by India’s Adani Group. The strike, driven by concerns over job security and unfavorable contract terms, brought operations at East Africa’s busiest hub to a standstill, impacting airports nationwide.
At the core of the protests is a secretive and controversial deal that could reshape Kenya’s aviation sector. The agreement has raised significant concerns about transparency, worker rights, and Kenya’s national interests. Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of the conglomerate led by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, has come under global scrutiny for alleged unethical business practices, environmental violations, and labor disputes. The group now seeks a 30-year lease of JKIA, promising approximately 240.6 billion Kenyan Shillings ($1.85 billion) investment to modernize the airport with a new terminal, a second runway, and upgraded facilities.
Read more here: Documents Reveal New Financial Viability and Strategic Risks in JKIA Expansion Plans
Supporters argue that the deal could boost airport revenue from roughly Sh 21 billion ($163 million) in 2025 to Sh 156 billion ($1.2 billion) by 2054. However, critics fear it could erode worker protections, lead to mass layoffs, and reduce public control over a crucial national asset.
By early Wednesday morning, operations at JKIA, along with other key airports including Moi International in Mombasa, Kisumu International, and Eldoret Airport, were paralyzed. Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) staff were notably absent, leaving passengers confused as flights were grounded.
Local flights from Mombasa and Kisumu faced significant delays, with police officers stepping in to manage security at check-in points as stranded passengers anxiously awaited updates.
“Kenya Airways would like to alert you that due to the action by some JKIA staff, this has resulted in delays and possible cancellations of some of our flights,” the airline said in a notice to passengers.
A stranded traveler shared on social media, “Can someone rescue us inside JKIA Terminal 1C? We’ve been locked in since midnight with no communication,” capturing the frustration of many.
The strike, which began as a go-slow on Tuesday night, escalated into a full-blown shutdown by Wednesday morning. In response, the government deployed General Service Unit (GSU) security officers to JKIA to prevent further escalation after workers downed their tools.
Several workers were arrested, prompting the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli to demand their immediate release. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) spearheaded the protest, with members denouncing the Adani deal. Fears of mass layoffs loomed, with reports suggesting that Adani planned to hire foreign workers, leaving many KAA employees vulnerable to unfavorable contract renegotiations or termination.
Documents obtained by JH_EA and our recent reports reveal alarming clauses in the Adani deal, including provisions that would require Kenya to compensate the company for losses stemming from court actions, parliamentary decisions, or public protests. Disputes arising from the agreement would be settled through international arbitration in London, with hearings held in Mauritius, effectively limiting Kenya’s legal recourse on home soil. Critics argue that these clauses prioritize corporate interests over national sovereignty and labor rights.
Additionally, the deal would grant Adani a 10-year corporate tax exemption and control over the airport’s Air Passenger Service Charge revenue—funds typically shared with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and the Tourism Promotion Fund. The most contentious point, however, is Adani’s demand for a 30-year monopoly, preventing Kenya from expanding or constructing competing airports, which critics say could stifle competition and cement Adani’s dominance in the country’s aviation sector.
On Monday, the government’s last-minute efforts to stop the strike failed as KAWU representatives accused state officials and airport management of ignoring their concerns. “The government has failed to provide the documents we requested regarding the Adani deal. The strike will continue until the government halts the agreement,” stated Moss Ndiema, KAWU’s secretary-general.
For aviation workers, the strike represents a fight for their livelihoods. Many fear losing their jobs or being forced into less secure contracts. “Secret, unexplained movements by Adani employees around JKIA must be halted immediately,” KAWU said in a notice.
“KAA workers have served this country for decades. Now we’re being told only a few of us will be rehired, and even those jobs could go to non-Kenyans,” said a striking worker.
City lawyer Donald Kipkorir has raised serious concerns about the Adani deal, questioning its broader implications for Kenya’s sovereignty and infrastructure. He pointed out that both Rwanda and Ethiopia are building state-of-the-art airports without outsourcing them to foreign companies.
“Rwanda, with an economy much smaller than Kenya’s, is constructing a new and more advanced airport outside Kigali. Similarly, Ethiopia is building the largest and most modern airport in Africa outside Addis Ababa,” he pointed out. Kipkorir questioned why Kenya is handing over JKIA to Adani to renovate existing facilities instead of building a new airport, highlighting potential financial drawbacks and the possibility of “financial engineering” that could adversely affect Kenya’s interests.
Kipkorir has called for rigorous scrutiny of the contract and accountability for any irregularities, citing Adani’s controversial history in other markets. He warned that the deal could set a troubling precedent for Kenya’s infrastructure and sovereignty. This critique resonates with broader public concerns about the long-term financial and legal implications of the project. The decision to bypass local courts and Parliament in favor of international arbitration raises serious questions about Kenya’s legal sovereignty and the protection of public interests.
Despite these criticisms, the Kenyan government has defended the deal, stating that private investment is necessary for expanding JKIA due to shrinking public development budgets. However, the lack of transparency around the agreement has only fueled public suspicion.
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Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir faced challenges calming down visibly agitated striking workers at JKIA later in the evening. He assured both the workers and the public that all documents related to the deal would be submitted to the courts for transparency. Chirchir stressed that the government’s aim is to upgrade JKIA’s infrastructure, which is currently struggling to meet demand, and that private investment is essential to this process.
This reassurance comes as the government, signaling the deal’s final stages, recently sent 16 officials to India to review Adani’s financial records. At the same time, Adani representatives arrived in Nairobi, further fueling concerns among workers.
Meanwhile, the High Court in Nairobi has granted the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) permission to file a judicial review challenging the deal. The court also issued a stay order, halting any further action on the lease until the case is resolved. This judicial review underscores concerns about transparency and the risks of leasing such a vital national asset to a foreign entity, potentially compromising Kenya’s long-term interests.
As the strike continues and the legal battle unfolds, the future of JKIA hangs in the balance. While some believe the Kenyan government is responsible for disclosing the full details of the deal, the Adani proposal could transform the country’s aviation sector—either through increased investment or by threatening job security, sovereignty, and financial stability.
