Relief for Air Travelers as Kenya Aviation Workers Call Off Strike After All-Night Negotiations

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   Operations across Kenya's key airports are returning to normal following an agreement reached early Tuesday morning to end a high-stakes industrial action that paralyzed flight schedules nationwide over the weekend.
   The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) signed a Return-to-Work Agreement with government officials and aviation regulators around 4.30 a.m on September 1, concluding a marathon day-and-night negotiation session.

       Disruptions Across Key Hubs
  The go-slow, which began on Sunday, caused major delays and stranded hundreds of domestic and international passengers. Operations at major transit hubs—including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Eldoret International Airport, and Kisumu International Airport—ground to a near halt.
  National carrier Kenya Airways reported delays of up to six hours on scheduled flights, while the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued formal apologies to affected travelers and regional transit partners.
            
    The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) signed a Return-to-Work Agreement with government officials and aviation regulator very early in the morning on September 1, concluding a marathon day-and-night negotiation session.

              Inside the Marathon Talks
  The breakthrough followed exhaustive negotiations at Transcom House in Nairobi, led by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua.
  The meeting brought together key industry leaders, including:
KAWU Leadership: Secretary General Moss Ndiema and union representatives.
•Government & Aviation Executives: Aviation PS Teresia Mbaika, Labour PS Shadrack Mwadime, acting KCAA Director General Nicholas Bodo, KAA Managing Director Moses Wekesa, and Jambojet CEO Karanja Ndegwa.
•Labor Representatives: Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli.
  Speaking after the agreement was signed, Labour CS Alfred Mutua acknowledged the strain on travelers while maintaining that the workers' grievances required a structured hearing.
  "My sincere apologies to all who were inconvenienced due to this strike and also to airport workers who felt injured and, in our view, deserved a hearing and improvement of their welfare," Mutua stated.

                   Key Pillars of the Settlement
  The signed deal resolves immediate operational standoffs while outlining clear frameworks for ongoing disputes:
Immediate Resumption of Work: KAWU called off the industrial action with immediate effect, directing all staff to report to their posts.
•CBA Negotiations: KAWU and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) agreed to begin negotiations immediately on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) under guidelines set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
•Release of Withheld Fees: KAA committed to immediately remitting outstanding agency fees owed to the union.
•Court Framework for Jambojet: The ongoing dispute regarding a recognition agreement between KAWU and regional carrier Jambojet Limited will be resolved through the courts, with all parties pledging to respect the judicial outcome.
•Protection Against Victimization: The agreement explicitly guarantees that no employee will face disciplinary action or victimization for participating in the strike.
    With the return-to-work agreement signed, airlines and airport operators have initiated recovery schedules to clear the backlog of delayed flights across the country.

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