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Relief for travellers as airport workers end strike
Members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) following a meeting the the Transport and Labour Ministries on February 17, 2026.
Airport workers have ended their two-day strike, bringing relief to hundreds of travellers who had endured flight delays and cancellations since Monday.
The industrial action, led by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu), was suspended following talks with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and the Ministry of Transport.
It had paralysed operations at major airports, with passengers stranded and airlines forced to reschedule or cancel flights due to disruptions of key aviation services.
Travellers line up at JKIA on February 17, 2026 Flights were delayed due to the ongoing airport workers' strike.
For instance, Kenya Airways said Tuesday that it was experiencing up to four-hour delays for departures out of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) due to air traffic control disruptions. In a statement, the airline advised passengers to check their flight status before going to the airport.
Members of Kawu went on strike on Monday in a labour dispute with KCAA. Among the union’s key demands was the employment of workers on permanent and pensionable terms.
Speaking after the deal was signed Tuesday, Kawu Secretary-General Moses Ndiema said the union had reached an agreement with relevant authorities after what he described as successful consultations and engagements.
“In effect, Kenya Aviation Workers Union would like to call off the strike action on terms that have been agreed in the return-to-work formula. We are satisfied with the guidance and the intervention of the government in this matter."
Mr Ndiema explained that the grievances raised by workers were divided into two categories — those that could be resolved immediately and those requiring further deliberations. He noted that issues considered urgent have already been addressed, including the expansion of union representation at KCAA to include employees in grades 4 and 5.
“Union level of representation at KCAA will now include employees in grades 4 and 5. The rest of the items, cutting across KCAA and KAA, are issues that require more time and deliberations...that is why we have requested the Minister of Labour to assist us through a process of consideration,” he said.
Stranded passengers
During the strike, airlines and stranded passengers bore the brunt of prolonged disruptions at key airports.
Travellers line up at JKIA on February 17, 2026 Flights were delayed due to the ongoing airport workers' strike.
Travellers at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Flights were delayed due to the ongoing airport workers' strike.
Many said they have not gotten clear communication on their flights and travel plans.
“Nothing is working in here. Everything is at a standstill,” said a passenger who requested anonymity. He had been at JKIA since morning. By midday, he had neither traveled nor been updated on how soon that may happen.
Several airlines including Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways were last night forced to reschedule their flights.
“Dear Customer, we regret the inconvenience caused by cancellation of your flight,” reads part of a message Qatar Airways sent to its customers.
“I don’t know what’s next. I’ve been here since yesterday. I was supposed to fly at 5pm,” said Job Cheruiyot, a stranded passenger.
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