Thousands of passengers remained stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday as a strike by aviation workers entered its second day, with emergency talks between union leaders and government officials collapsing without agreement .
The industrial action, called by the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU), has triggered severe flight delays and cancellations at East Africa’s busiest aviation hub. Kenya Airways reported delays exceeding six hours, while RwandAir cancelled multiple flights citing air traffic control constraints in Nairobi .
Union Secretary General Moss Ndiema confirmed that Sunday’s negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough, with discussions scheduled to resume Monday morning while the strike continues . KAWU is protesting unresolved grievances including a stalled collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), poor working conditions, and a controversial plan to deploy youth volunteers as airport staff .
Passengers described chaotic scenes and limited communication from airlines. Traveller William Obino told AFP: “Nothing is happening, updates are reaching us late. It’s ruining our itinerary” . Another passenger, Rabbi Mendel Goldman, recounted a 12-hour ordeal after his flight was repeatedly delayed before being cancelled .
KAA said it is “working closely with the relevant aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to manage the situation” . Airlines have begun moving stranded passengers to hotels while waiving rebooking penalties .
