Major operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) could grind to a halt next week if Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) workers make good their threat to down tools.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has issued a seven-day strike notice to the KAA management demanding urgent action on a raft of grievances.
At the heart of the standoff is the alleged transfer of Ground Flight Safety (GFS) operations from KAA to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), a move the union says was done without consultation and could lead to massive job losses and reduced revenue for KAA.
In a letter dated September 22, 2025, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema warned that the GFS transfer was already bearing dire consequences.
“Despite this matter being of grave concern to the Union, the management has neither consulted us nor shared with us any information regarding the matter,” Ndiema said.
He further alleged that KCAA has already hired its own GFS staff, confirming workers’ worst fears.
The union has also accused KAA of failing to confirm over 500 employees from contract to permanent and pensionable terms despite years of service.
“We have relentlessly engaged and pleaded with Management to confirm these employees, but to no avail,” Ndiema said.
Other grievances include failure to substantively appoint staff who have been promoted, non-payment of overtime allowances for workers at Wilson Airport for more than six months, and the dismantling of the human resources department, which the union describes as “crippling” the resolution of key labour issues.
Three Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), it said, also remain unresolved.
On Tuesday morning, agitated employees camped at KAA headquarters in Nairobi, but their attempt to meet management failed.
When reached for a comment, KAA board chairperson Caleb Kositany stated that the contract for the human resource manager had expired, hence affecting the implementation of the issues affecting the staff.
He, however, stated that they are in the process of advertising it so that it can be filled competitively.
He added that the former manager is eligible to apply for the position despite having served for two terms in office.
In the case of GFS employees, Kositany strongly dismissed as untrue the reports that they had already been transferred to KCAA.
He said consultations were ongoing between the KAA and KCAA over the matter.
“We have a team from our side-KAA, and the aviation regulator-KCAA-which are currently consulting over the issue,” he said.
He added:
“We are doing this in compliance with the requirements and the standards developed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”
KAWU has now directed all its members to brace for a full-blown strike should KAA fail to respond within the seven-day window, a move that could paralyse key airport operations and ground flights.
GFS involves all actions to ensure the safety of the aircraft, passengers, crew, and ground personnel during ground operations at the airport.
This includes tasks like secure parking, safe loading and unloading of baggage and cargo, equipment maintenance, and emergency response, all performed by ground crews, safety managers, and various regulatory bodies to prevent incidents and ensure operational efficiency.
by FELIX KIPKEMOI
