Nairobi, Kenya – The two-day strike that paralyzed air travel across Kenya has officially ended, after the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) signed a return-to-work agreement with the government and key aviation stakeholders.
The industrial action, which began on Sunday, had caused widespread disruptions at major airports including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, as well as hubs in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret . Hundreds of passengers were left stranded, with Kenya Airways reporting delays of more than six hours and regional carriers like RwandAir forced to cancel services due to air traffic control constraints .
The breakthrough came after more than 10 hours of intense, overnight negotiations on Monday, chaired by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua . The talks brought together KAWU, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and the affected airline Jambojet .
Under the terms of the Return-to-Work Agreement, all parties have committed to several key actions:
- Immediate Resumption of Work: KAWU has formally called off the strike and directed all its members to resume their duties immediately to help clear the massive backlog of delayed flights .
- Union Dues Released: The Kenya Airports Authority has agreed to immediately remit agency fees owed to KAWU and currently in its custody .
- Collective Bargaining Talks: KAWU and the KCAA will immediately proceed with negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This follows the withdrawal of initial guidance by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the issuance of new parameters to guide the talks . While the union has expressed reservations about the new SRC guidelines, it has committed to addressing these shortcomings during the CBA negotiations .
- Non-Victimisation Clause: A crucial element of the deal ensures that no employee will be victimised, intimidated, or subjected to disciplinary action for participating in the strike .
- Jambojet Recognition Dispute: The dispute over trade union recognition between KAWU and Jambojet, which is currently before the courts, will be resolved by awaiting the court’s final determination .
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema confirmed the strike had been called off, urging members to return to work and cooperate with management to restore normal operations .
“We have effectively called off the strike and urge our members to resume duties immediately. We hope to start talks on the outstanding issues in two or three days,” Ndiema stated .
Transport CS Davis Chirchir said the talks would be guided by the SRC parameters, while the government also apologised for the significant inconvenience caused to travellers . Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi expressed regret over the disruptions, urging affected passengers to liaise with their airlines for updates .
Aviation officials expect flight schedules to fully normalise over the next 24 hours, though travellers are still advised to confirm their flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport . The agreement marks a significant shift from industrial action back to the negotiating table, as the parties work to resolve outstanding issues and maintain industrial peace
