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KAA, union reach partial deal amid ongoing disputes over management
Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) addressing the media at JKIA on August 20, 2024.
More than 500 aviation workers employed on fixed-term contracts by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) are set to be absorbed on a permanent and pensionable basis, signalling resolution of the ongoing labour relations tussle.
This follows a conciliation meeting between the workers' union, Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu), and KAA to avert a planned strike that could disrupt operations of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
However, disputes over the KAA board leadership and alleged mismanagement remain unresolved, according to a court-submitted conciliation report.
The report shows that among the issues the two sides agreed on is that all the 507 employees on fixed-term contracts be employed on permanent and pensionable terms. This should be done on or before November 2025, according to the report dated October 2, 2025.
“That appointment letters be issued to all the promoted staff confirming them to their new positions. This should be done on or before October 2025. That all pending overtime payments for Wilson Airport staff and all other stations be paid in the October 2025 payroll,” reads the report signed by Conciliator A K Nyagah.
During the court-ordered conciliation, the parties were also able to agree that the KAA management would undertake to buy two new Air bridges and repair the five that have been grounded.
However, the parties disagreed on two issues, including the workers’ push for the removal and sacking of the current KAA board of management over alleged gross misconduct and mismanagement.
The Board denied the union’s allegations of misconduct and incompetence and argued that the union was interfering with the Management prerogatives.
They also disagreed on the union’s demand to dismantle the HR department over alleged refusal to extend the contract for Anthony Njagi, the general manager, human resource. The union demanded the renewal of Mr Njagi’s contract but the KAA said the matter would be considered by the board.
“The grievances which led to the labour unrest and issuance of strike notice have largely been addressed in the report. Accordingly, the respondent (Kawu) and its members now anticipate implementation of the observations and findings made by the conciliator,” said the workers’ lawyer Fred Ngatia, senior counsel.
“The orders we propose are that the labour unrest be marked as resolved on terms that the conciliator's observations and findings will be implemented envisaged.”
The workers issued a strike notice dated September 23, 2025, threatening to down their tools within seven days if the KAA failed to address their grievances, including the alleged failure to issue substantive appointments to promoted employees.
They claimed that they had lost faith in the KAA Board of Directors and failure to pay overtime to Wilson Airport staff and changes in the HR Department.
During the meeting, the union alleged, without providing documentation, that JKIA faced a potential downgrade from “Grade 9 to 7” -an industry classification measuring airport safety and infrastructure standards.
The workers alleged that if this were to happen, some airlines would not be able to land at JKIA.
“This will result in redundancies since a lot of people will lose employment, including their union members. It is because of this reason that the union finds the board to be in gross misconduct and should be sacked to protect the welfare of their members and the safety of passengers using the airport,” they submitted.
The report shows that the employees are concerned about the said downgrading of the country’s major airport, which was last year crowned the African Cargo Airport of the Year at the STAT Times International Awards for Excellence in Air Cargo.
Further, they claimed that the Board has usurped the powers of the managers who are unable to discharge their mandate.
Deplorable state
It was alleged that the managers, who ideally are technical officers, are unable to act without the directions and approval of the board.
“This has led to the deplorable state of the airport,” the union stated, adding that there were inadequate staff at the fire and rescue department.
“There is not enough equipment to respond to emergencies. Baggage handling is not functional since the contractor awarded this contract abandoned the work and the Board has taken no action. Some of the Air Bridges are not functional due to lack of repair. There is no tower for G.F.S surveillance since the old towers have been deliberately obstructed,” they stated.
The case is scheduled for mention at the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi next week for adoption of the Conciliator’s report.
