Kenya’s aviation workers have suspended their planned nationwide strike after reaching a government-brokered return-to-work agreement.
The agreement, signed on July 27, 2026, involved the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airways and other stakeholders.
KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema said the strike notice issued on July 20 had been suspended, assuring passengers that there would be no disruption to flights.
“I confirm that our strike action through a strike notice issued on July 20 stands suspended, and there is no anticipation of any disruptions arising from the intended strike action,” Ndiema said.
Workers had raised concerns over job security, employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, disciplinary procedures and alleged unfair dismissals, particularly at Jambojet.
Union officials said the disputes remain unresolved, but both sides had agreed to a structured timetable for negotiations.
The talks, chaired by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and attended by Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika, set a one-month timeline for resolving disputes across the aviation sector.
“Kenya Airways and Jambojet matters in the strike notice shall be discussed on July 28, save for the Jambojet matter currently before the court on the recognition agreement,” Mbaika said.
She added that grievances involving the Kenya Airports Authority would be discussed on July 29, while negotiations on the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority’s collective bargaining agreement would begin immediately. Discussions on human resource instruments are scheduled for July 30.
The agreement also guarantees that neither employees nor management will face victimisation over the strike notice.
As part of the deal, Kenya Airways and Jambojet will withdraw two cases filed before the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi to allow negotiations to proceed.
Government officials expressed confidence that the structured talks would provide lasting solutions to the disputes.
“We have given ourselves at most a month to make sure all these issues are addressed. We have specific starting dates for the negotiations, and we expect that by the end of the 30 days everything will have been settled,” Mbaika said.
The suspension averts possible disruption to air travel after passengers had faced uncertainty over potential delays and cancellations if the strike had proceeded.
– By Daniel Kamau
