Chaos erupted at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as workers launched a strike to protest a contentious deal between the government and India’s Adani Group.
The agreement, which would see Adani renovate and operate the airport for 30 years, has sparked fierce opposition from workers and opposition groups.
As flights were grounded and passengers stranded, the Kenya Airport Workers Union emphasized that the deal would lead to widespread job losses and inferior working conditions for those who remain. Despite a court order temporarily halting the deal’s implementation, workers took matters into their own hands, bringing the airport to a standstill.
The government has touted the deal as a vital investment opportunity, promising to modernize the airport and boost economic growth.
READ MORE: Inappropriate Behaviours, Vices Responsible For Decadence In Society —Nwakwesi
However, workers and critics argue that privatizing the airport will only serve to enrich a select few, while leaving ordinary Kenyans to bear the brunt of the consequences.
As the strike continues, passengers wait anxiously for updates on their flights, with Kenya Airways announcing delays and possible cancellations. The situation remains tense, with workers demanding better terms and conditions, and the government pushing forward with the deal.
The court case filed by the Law Society and the Kenya Human Rights Commission will be a crucial turning point in this saga.
As the country waits with bated breath for the outcome, one thing is clear: the fate of JKIA, and the livelihoods of its workers, hangs precariously in the balance.
In the midst of this turmoil, the voices of the workers must be heard.
Their concerns about job security, working conditions, and the future of the airport cannot be ignored. As the government and Adani Group push forward with their plans, they must be held accountable for the impact on ordinary Kenyans.
The strike may have brought the airport to a standstill, but it has also brought attention to the critical issues at play.
