Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport began returning to normal on Tuesday after aviation workers suspended a strike that had disrupted flights and stranded passengers.
The industrial action, led by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), started on Monday and affected services at the country’s busiest airport. Check-in counters slowed. Some departures were delayed. Travellers waited, uncertain, as negotiations unfolded behind closed doors.
By Tuesday afternoon, union officials said they had reached an understanding with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and the Ministry of Transport.
“We have had successful consultations and engagements with the relevant stakeholders,” KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema said. “We have agreed on a return-to-work formula.”
He did not disclose the full details of the agreement but described the talks as constructive. Union officials had earlier cited concerns over working conditions and broader labour grievances within the aviation sector.
Government representatives confirmed the suspension of the strike, saying discussions would continue to address outstanding issues. A senior official at the Ministry of Transport, speaking on condition of not being named because they were not authorised to brief the press, said both sides had shown “good faith” in seeking a resolution.
The temporary halt brought relief to passengers and airlines still recovering from post-pandemic volatility and rising operational costs. Kenya Airways, which operates a large share of flights through Nairobi, had advised travellers to monitor updates as the strike unfolded.
Labour disputes are not new in Kenya’s aviation industry. Workers have, in the past, raised concerns over pay, job security and proposed reforms. Analysts say the sector remains under strain, balancing the need for expansion with financial pressures.
For now, flights are resuming and staff are back at their posts. But the underlying tensions have not vanished. Both union leaders and government officials say further talks are expected in the coming weeks.
Whether this truce holds may depend on what follows behind the scenes.
About the Author
