Hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as workers protested against a controversial takeover bid from an Indian business group. Long lines formed outside the airport on Wednesday morning, resulting in significant flight delays and cancellations.
Airport workers initiated a “go-slow” protest, deliberately slowing operations to express their opposition to a proposed 30-year lease of JKIA to the Adani Group. The aviation workers’ union claims the deal lacks transparency and could result in job losses for employees.
In contrast, the government defended the leasing proposal, emphasizing the airport’s overcapacity issues and the need for private investment for necessary upgrades.
During the protest, airport workers rallied with chants of “Adani must go,” and reports surfaced of police using force to manage demonstrators. Stranded passengers expressed frustration over a lack of communication regarding their flight status. One traveler, who had to cut short her holiday for a family funeral, described the chaotic situation inside the airport.
The Zimbabwe men’s football team also faced similar challenges, having arrived in Nairobi from an African Cup of Nations qualifier without any information on their next flight to Harare.
Despite the disruptions, a fraction of operations resumed by early morning, with officials working to address the backlog caused by the protests. The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union had previously warned of an indefinite strike if the government did not disclose further details regarding the deal with the Adani Group.
Criticism of the proposal also emerged from both the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, who challenged the adequacy of leasing such a critical national asset to a private entity. Their legal filing led to a High Court order halting the deal pending a judicial review, with a final decision yet to be determined.
The proposed leasing agreement involves a $1.85 billion investment from the Adani Group, aimed at improving airport infrastructure, including a new runway and upgraded passenger terminals. The Adani Group, owned by billionaire Gautam Adani, has been under scrutiny over allegations of corrupt practices. In previous months, protesters threatened to shut down the airport, calling attention to these concerns while accusing the Adani Group of benefiting from close ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In the aftermath of these allegations, a US-based investment firm has accused the Adani Group of significant stock manipulation and accounting fraud, prompting an investigation by India’s market regulator. These ongoing developments raise critical questions about the future of JKIA and the implications for Kenya’s aviation industry.
