٠٠:٠٣:٠٠Hundreds of travellers were left stranded on Wednesday as Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) staff went on strike over a planned takeover by the Indian Adani Group.
Footage shows crowds waiting outside a terminal with their luggage as workers rallied around Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Francis Atwol.
Workers staged a walkout after Adani announced it would be leasing JKIA from the government for 30 years in exchange for a $1.85 billion investment into its expansion. Unions fear the Indian company will bring in foreign staff, leading to job losses.
Unions say the airport staff will return to work once the government provides them with assurances that the deal with Adani will only be agreed with their approval.
"This was a very, very simple matter where the assurance to workers in writing that our members would lose no jobs and their jobs would remain protected by both the government and as it is required by law," Atwol said.
"And that assurance alone, we wouldn't have been to where we are. But a lot of arrogance. The Adani issue is as if it is exclusive to management alone and government," he continued.
The strike caused flights to be cancelled and delayed, reportedly affecting hundreds of passengers at Kenya's largest airport.
"I can understand that people are frustrated with the situation at the airport, and I understand that this happens and we deal with it. That is how it works. As long as no one gets hurt and it is a peaceful protest," a traveller said.
Kenya's government has voiced support for the deal, claiming the airport requires modernisation but has insisted it is not for sale. Meanwhile, Kenya's high court temporarily blocked the proposal on Tuesday to allow the judiciary time to review the deal.
The Adani Group, owned by India's second richest man, has yet to comment on the strike at the time of publication.
Hundreds left stranded at Kenya's largest airport as workers go on strike over leasing deal
Hundreds of travellers were left stranded on Wednesday as Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) staff went on strike over a planned takeover by the Indian Adani Group.
Footage shows crowds waiting outside a terminal with their luggage as workers rallied around Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Francis Atwol.
Workers staged a walkout after Adani announced it would be leasing JKIA from the government for 30 years in exchange for a $1.85 billion investment into its expansion. Unions fear the Indian company will bring in foreign staff, leading to job losses.
Unions say the airport staff will return to work once the government provides them with assurances that the deal with Adani will only be agreed with their approval.
"This was a very, very simple matter where the assurance to workers in writing that our members would lose no jobs and their jobs would remain protected by both the government and as it is required by law," Atwol said.
"And that assurance alone, we wouldn't have been to where we are. But a lot of arrogance. The Adani issue is as if it is exclusive to management alone and government," he continued.
The strike caused flights to be cancelled and delayed, reportedly affecting hundreds of passengers at Kenya's largest airport.
"I can understand that people are frustrated with the situation at the airport, and I understand that this happens and we deal with it. That is how it works. As long as no one gets hurt and it is a peaceful protest," a traveller said.
Kenya's government has voiced support for the deal, claiming the airport requires modernisation but has insisted it is not for sale. Meanwhile, Kenya's high court temporarily blocked the proposal on Tuesday to allow the judiciary time to review the deal.
The Adani Group, owned by India's second richest man, has yet to comment on the strike at the time of publication.
Hundreds of travellers were left stranded on Wednesday as Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) staff went on strike over a planned takeover by the Indian Adani Group.
Footage shows crowds waiting outside a terminal with their luggage as workers rallied around Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Francis Atwol.
Workers staged a walkout after Adani announced it would be leasing JKIA from the government for 30 years in exchange for a $1.85 billion investment into its expansion. Unions fear the Indian company will bring in foreign staff, leading to job losses.
Unions say the airport staff will return to work once the government provides them with assurances that the deal with Adani will only be agreed with their approval.
"This was a very, very simple matter where the assurance to workers in writing that our members would lose no jobs and their jobs would remain protected by both the government and as it is required by law," Atwol said.
"And that assurance alone, we wouldn't have been to where we are. But a lot of arrogance. The Adani issue is as if it is exclusive to management alone and government," he continued.
The strike caused flights to be cancelled and delayed, reportedly affecting hundreds of passengers at Kenya's largest airport.
"I can understand that people are frustrated with the situation at the airport, and I understand that this happens and we deal with it. That is how it works. As long as no one gets hurt and it is a peaceful protest," a traveller said.
Kenya's government has voiced support for the deal, claiming the airport requires modernisation but has insisted it is not for sale. Meanwhile, Kenya's high court temporarily blocked the proposal on Tuesday to allow the judiciary time to review the deal.
The Adani Group, owned by India's second richest man, has yet to comment on the strike at the time of publication.