The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has issued a seven-day strike notice to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), citing governance failures, looming redundancies, and unpaid staff dues.
In a notice dated September 23, 2025, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema accused the KAA Board of Directors of incompetence, poor governance, and making decisions that undermine the stability of the state corporation.
He pointed to the controversial Adani deal and other management decisions as evidence of the board's incompetence to safeguard the public entity.
"The epitome of the Board's incompetence and lack of touch with reality is the recent events involving the Adani deal and other decisions that point to the Board not serving the best interests of Kenyans as the custodians of the public entity called KAA, which the citizens have entrusted them to manage," he said.
According to the union, more than 500 employees remain on fixed-term contracts despite serving in permanent roles. KAWU opposes KAA’s proposal to re-advertise the positions and insists the workers should be confirmed to permanent and pensionable terms.
"We are not in agreement with this position because these employees have been performing these roles satisfactorily. We therefore demand the immediate confirmation of these employees to permanent and pensionable terms of service, "the notice read in part.
The union also accused the management of failure to consult them on the planned transfer of the Ground Flight Safety (GFS) department from KAA to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), despite the matter being of grave concern to them.
"Our attempts to engage the Management through the Managing Director & CEO have not borne any fruit, yet the transfer process is ongoing and gaining momentum towards full surrender of the GFS to KCAA. We demand the immediate stoppage of the intended transfer and the restoration of the GFS functions to KAA," the notice read.
The union also demanded the immediate payment of the six months' withheld overtime to the Wilson Airport Staff, revocation of changes in HR Department and issuance of appointment letters to employees who changed departments and promoted to substantively established positions.
The union said the strike will begin after the mandatory seven-day notice period lapses unless the outlined issues are addressed.
“We request all members to mobilise massively to make the strike effective and successful. We urge you to stand firm in solidarity to defend and protect your jobs and your rights,” Ndiema stated.
If the strike proceeds, operations across Kenya’s airports could face significant disruption, putting pressure on KAA management and the government to resolve the disputes through urgent dialogue.
