Passengers at Kenya’s main international airport were left stranded on Wednesday due to a workers’ strike protesting a proposed deal between the government and a foreign investor.
Flights have been grounded since the demonstration began.
The government announced that the build-and-operate agreement with India’s Adani Group would result in the renovation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, including the construction of a new runway and terminal, in exchange for the group operating the airport for 30 years.
The Kenya Airport Workers Union, which organized the strike, warned that the deal would lead to job losses and deteriorating working conditions for those who remain employed.
At the airport, stranded passengers could be seen napping while waiting for delayed flights out of Nairobi. Kenya Airways also announced potential delays and cancellations due to the strike.
Although workers had threatened a strike last week, it was postponed for discussions with the government. However, concerns were raised when unknown individuals, allegedly linked to the Indian firm, were spotted at the airport, fueling fears that preparations for the deal were already underway.
On Monday, the High Court temporarily halted the deal’s implementation pending a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
