The government, through the Ministry of Labour, pledged on Wednesday to address the concerns raised by aviation workers during their recent demonstrations.
In a meeting led by Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, the government committed to providing comprehensive information about the proposed leasing of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate.
During the discussion, CS Mutua observed that the employees lacked a full understanding of the critical issues affecting their welfare, which, according to him, led to the spread of misinformation. He urged the workers to seek accurate information regarding the deal instead of relying on unverified details.
Following the meeting, CS Mutua announced plans to hold another discussion with Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir next week to resolve the ongoing impasse.
“I listened carefully to their grievances and recognized the need for improved communication from their employer,” the Labour CS emphasized.
He urged the workers to wait for the release of necessary documents and further clarifications from their employer before taking any additional steps.
The minister assured the workers that the ministry is committed to promptly addressing their concerns, particularly regarding how the proposed Public-Private Partnership would impact their rights and employment terms.
CS Mutua’s intervention comes just two days after Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) staff staged protests against the government’s plan to lease the country’s main airport.
During the demonstrations, workers gathered at the KAA head office, voicing their concerns until they were addressed by Acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye.
Ogoye directed the workers to submit memoranda outlining their issues so that they could be addressed.
Despite having called off the demonstrations a day earlier, the airport workers proceeded with the protests. Initially, the workers had postponed a strike planned for September 1 to allow room for discussions, following President William Ruto’s intervention after he met with union leaders and top government officials on Monday, August 26.
