Kenya workers protesting against proposed takeover by India's Adani Group end strike

Aviation workers in Kenya on Wednesday (Sep 11) ended their strike and returned to work following staging protests against a plan to lease the airport to India's Adani Group. Francis Atwoli, secretary general of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), said the govt had come up with an agreement and the plan would only move forward with the union’s approval.

Earlier in the day, passengers were left stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday (Sep 10) night afterKenya Aviation Authority (KAA) workers went on strike, protesting against Indian conglomerate Adani Group's takeover of the airport.

The walk-out began at midnight, disrupting flights at the country's main airport. Queues of passengers waiting outside the terminal and lines of cars attempting to enter the area went viral on social media.

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"JKIA staff go-slow causes long lines as they plan to go on strike at midnight over Adani takeover deal. They’re declaring a 'total lockdown' to oppose the Indian firm, several employees tell me," one of the passengers was quoted as saying by Kenyans.co.ke.

Kenya Aviation Workers Union said the strike will continue until the central government scrapped the plan to lease the airport to Adani Group for 30 years in exchange for a $1.85 billion investment.

"This is mockery to our sovereignty. Kenya Airports Authority has been performing these duties through a concession order. Adani is coming in with empty hands. We reject Adani," the union said on X (formerly Twitter).

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Why the protests?

The union as well as critics of the move argue that Adani Grpup's takeover would lead to job losses for local staff and rob taxpayers of future airport profits.

The strikes were planned last month but delayed multiple times to allow for negotiations.The Kenyangovernment has reasoned that the airport is operating above capacity and needs modernising but that it is not for sale. According to reports Adani would add a second runway and upgrade the passenger terminal.

While the protests continue, Kenya's High Court has temporarily blocked the proposed deal, according to court documents cited in an AFP report.

The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission had filed a court challenge on Monday (Sep 9) claiming that the deal violated the "principles of good governance, accountability, transparency, and prudent and responsible use of public money".

The High Court approved their request for a delay. The date for a final court decision has yet to be set.

(With inputs from agencies)