KAA issues assurance as aviation workers begin nationwide strike over job security and unpaid wages

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has sought to reassure passengers and airlines that operations at major airports will continue normally despite the strike declared by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which took effect today.

In a notice issued on Monday, September 29, KAA confirmed receipt of the strike notice dated September 23, which directly affects Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson Airport, Moi International Airport, and several others.

“The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) acknowledges the receipt of a strike notice issued by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The Authority wishes to assure all passengers, airlines, and partners that our airports continue to operate as normal,” KAA stated.

However, aviation workers have accused the government and management of failing to resolve long-standing grievances. Central to KAWU’s demands is the confirmation of over 500 contract employees to permanent and pensionable terms, a matter the union says has dragged on for years despite repeated negotiations.

“We have relentlessly engaged and pleaded with Management to confirm these employees to permanent and pensionable terms, but to no avail,” KAWU lamented in its strike notice.

The union also faulted authorities for failing to issue official appointment letters to employees who had been promoted or redeployed to new roles. At Wilson Airport, workers complained of six months of unpaid overtime despite rendering lawful extra hours.

Adding to the tensions, KAWU has protested a planned transfer of the Ground Flight Safety (GFS) department’s functions to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), warning that the move would result in job losses and deprive KAA of crucial revenue streams.

The strike, which officially begins today, has placed the aviation sector in a delicate position, with fears that prolonged industrial action could disrupt passenger travel, flight schedules, and airport revenues.

For now, KAA insists that operations are running smoothly. But with union grievances unresolved, the standoff between aviation workers and authorities is expected to escalate in the coming days.