Nairobi Airport Strike Disrupts Flights Amid Controversial Lease Proposal

A worker strike at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport led to flight delays and cancellations. The strike was initiated in opposition to a proposed 30-year lease agreement with India's Adani Group. Union representatives argue that the lease would result in job losses and the replacement of local workers with non-Kenyans. The deal has been temporarily blocked by Kenya's high court for further review.

A strike by workers at Kenya's main international airport in Nairobi has caused flight delays and cancellations, impacting both departing and arriving passengers, according to Kenya Airways.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union initiated the strike on Wednesday to oppose a proposed 30-year lease deal with India's Adani Group for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Union leaders argue that the arrangement would result in job losses and the replacement of domestic workers with foreign staff.

Kenya's government stated that while the airport is operating above capacity and requires modernization, it is not for sale, and no final decision has been made regarding the proposed public-private partnership. On Tuesday, Kenya's high court temporarily blocked the Adani proposal to allow time for a judicial review.

(With inputs from agencies.)