Explained: Why Did Kenyan Aviation Workers Protest?

Workers at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ended their day-long strike on Wednesday after the government assured them that any lease agreement with an Indian company would require union approval. The strike, which began on September 11, involved workers blowing plastic trumpets and chanting "Adani must go," causing significant flight delays and cancellations for arriving and departing passengers. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union, the largest union representing airport staff, organized the protest against a proposed 30-year lease with Adani Group, announced in July. The union is concerned that the deal could lead to job losses and the employment of non-Kenyan workers. Although the Kenyan government acknowledges that the airport faces capacity issues and needs modernization, it insists that the facility is not for sale. The deal is presented as a public-private partnership aimed at upgrading the airport, with no final decision yet. On September 9, the high court temporarily blocked the proposal to allow for a judicial review. The plan includes building a new runway and upgrading the terminal. The strike concluded after the government confirmed that the lease would only move forward with the union's consent.