Protests over an Indian deal causes disarray at Kenya’s main airport

Passengers looking to fly via the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), in Kenya are unable to get to their destinations owing to a demonstration by the airport’s staff against the Indian company; Adani group.

The largest union representing Kenya aviation workers began a protest on Wednesday in opposition to a new agreement that would permit India’s Adani Group to lease the country’s major airport for 30 years in return for its expansion.

On Tuesday, the union issued a threat that if their grievances were not addressed immediately, they would go on strike. The strike had been pending since August. They argued that the deal could lead to job losses.

However, the Kenyan government had earlier retorted, claiming that the idea was justifiable owing to the fact that the airport is working above its capacity and requires private investment to be upgraded.

As seen in a report by the BBC, flights were delayed and or canceled shortly after union members stormed out early Wednesday morning.

As a result, clusters of frustrated passengers can be seen at the main airport sitting on their luggage while they wait in long queues.

Another similar report by the Kenyan newspaper, the Star, detailed the exasperations of the passengers who were not given prior information on flight times and delays.

One of the passengers interviewed stated; “I was here as early as 8 am because my flight to Mombasa was scheduled for 11:30 am. I have been waiting here for hours with no information about it. This is disappointing.”

The airport officials relayed that only arrivals were being handled as conversations between management and the striking workers proceeded.