Aviation workers under the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU) called off their strike after reaching an agreement with the government.
KAWU, on Tuesday, signed a return-to-work agreement with the Ministry of Transport, committing to resume normal duties immediately after implementation of the agreement.
This would see the resumption of full operations at Kenyan airports, which had been crippled since Sunday when workers downed their tools in protest against the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
(KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet Limited (Jambojet).
On Tuesday, KAWU and the transport ministry reached an agreement that KAWU and KCAA shall begin negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The agreement said KAWU and KCAA shall proceed with CBA negotiations immediately, and KCAA management would honor and implement the outcome of the CBA negotiations. Salary negotiations will be under the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines issued on September 1, 2026.
KAWU also wants a recognition agreement with Jambojet, a matter that will await determination by the court.
“In consideration of the foregoing agreements and commitments, KAWU calls off the industrial action and advises all its affected members to resume normal duties immediately upon execution of this Return-to-Work Agreement,” read a statement signed by KAWU, the ministry, KCAA, KAA and Jambojet.
Employees were further directed to cooperate with management to ensure the immediate restoration and continuity of normal airport operations.
the parties agreed that KAA would immediately remit agency fees owed to KAWU, which the authority had previously held.
The government and union officials also agreed to allow the KCAA and KAWU to proceed with negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
According to the agreement, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) withdrew its initial guidance issued in July and subsequently provided new parameters that will guide the negotiations.
While KAWU expressed reservations over some of the new SRC guidelines, the parties agreed to address the outstanding issues through negotiations, with KCAA management undertaking to honour and implement the outcome of the CBA talks.
The agreement further provided that no employee would be victimised, intimidated, discriminated against or subjected to disciplinary action for participating in the industrial action.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema said the strike had been called off immediately.
“We have effectively called off the strike and urge our members to resume duties immediately. We hope to start talks on the outstanding issues in two or three days,” he said.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the talks will be guided by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission guidelines.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the strike and wish to assure the workers we are committed to agree on their issues,” he said.
The strike that began on Sunday had paralysed operations at Kenyan airports including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Moi International Airport, Eldoret International Airport
and the Kisumu International Airport.
KAA on Monday informed passengers of delays in their scheduled travel. The national carrier, Kenya Airways, had also informed travellers of a 6-hour delay in flight schedules.
Some passengers spent their nights at the airports while waiting for clearance to leave as the strike went on.
On Monday evening, the government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, apologised to passengers affected by flight disruptions at JKIA. Foreign Affairs minister Musalia Mudavadi regretted its impact on passengers, airlines and businesses as operations at JKIA, the country’s main gateway.
Mudavadi said the government was engaging all parties involved, with talks ongoing to resolve the matter and restore normal operations “safely and in an orderly manner”.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to passengers whose journeys have been disrupted,” Mudavadi said.
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