KAWU Strike Halts JKIA for Two Days, Ends in Deal

Source: aviationtoday.in

TL;DR

The story at a glance

A two-day strike by members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) against the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) paralyzed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, causing widespread flight disruptions. The transport ministry brokered talks involving KAWU, KCAA, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and labour officials, leading to a return-to-work deal on February 17, 2026. This is reported now as operations resume after the immediate crisis. JKIA handles much of East Africa's air traffic.[[7]](https://aviationtoday.in/civilaviation/airports/union-strike-disrupts-kenyas-main-airport-for-two-days-before-return-to-work-deal)[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/kenya-airport-workers-strike-called-off-nation-media-group-reports-2026-02-17)

Key points

Details and context

The labour dispute stemmed from KAWU's demands for permanent contracts, better pay, improved conditions, and a long-delayed CBA, following a strike notice on February 9.[[10]](https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/kenya-aviation-workers-suspend-strike-after-reaching-an-agreement-with-the-transport-ministry-to-address-their-grievances-through-the-collective-bargaining-agreement) Workers accused KCAA management of stalling negotiations despite court interventions.[[5]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c363096kd5po)

Government intervention on February 17 brought parties including KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema (or Moses Ndiema in some reports), PS Labour, KAA, and KCAA to agree on immediate resumption and ongoing conciliation.[[6]](https://www.transport.go.ke/nairobi-kenya-february-17-2026-industrial-action-resolved-jkia-operations-resume)

This follows a similar 2024 strike over privatization fears, but the 2026 action focused on employment terms.[[11]](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/11/kenya-airport-workers-strike-over-takeover-bid-by-indias-adani-group)

Key quotes

KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema: "the failure by the Kenyan aviation authority to conclude a collective bargaining agreement on salary concerns and issues related to working conditions."[[5]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c363096kd5po)

KAWU statement: "We are happy about the successful engagements and in effect the KAWU calls off the strike based on the terms that have been agreed in the return-to-work formula."[[6]](https://www.transport.go.ke/nairobi-kenya-february-17-2026-industrial-action-resolved-jkia-operations-resume)

Why it matters

JKIA is a key African hub, so disruptions ripple across East Africa and international routes, affecting trade, tourism, and connectivity. Travellers face delays or cancellations, while airlines like Kenya Airways incur costs from rescheduling; passengers may claim compensation under regulations. Watch for CBA progress or new strikes, as unions later accused breaches by March 2026.[[12]](https://www.facebook.com/mtaaniradio/posts/the-kenya-aviation-workers-union-kawu-has-issued-a-seven-day-strike-notice-to-th/1471684538306821)

What changed

Workers operated normally before the strike; industrial action halted air traffic control and services starting February 16, 2026; return-to-work agreement restored operations immediately on February 17, 2026.[[2]](https://apnews.com/article/kenya-airport-strike-nairobi-jomo-kenyatta-union-3c281f8deef5472b3eb4fc11375e64a0)[[6]](https://www.transport.go.ke/nairobi-kenya-february-17-2026-industrial-action-resolved-jkia-operations-resume)

FAQ

Q: What caused the KAWU strike at JKIA?

A: The Kenya Aviation Workers Union struck over KCAA's failure to conclude a collective bargaining agreement on salaries, poor working conditions, delayed remittances, and discrimination. Disputes had lasted over a decade. The action followed a February 9 strike notice.[[5]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c363096kd5po)

Q: Which airlines were impacted by the strike?

A: Kenya Airways faced delays up to four hours on departures and arrivals; IndiGo cancelled its Mumbai-Nairobi flight; Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines also saw disruptions and rescheduling. Cancellations stranded passengers overnight.[[3]](https://www.instagram.com/p/DU5JGlZEoq5)[[4]](https://www.airhelp.com/en-int/flight-disruptions/kenya-airport-workers-strike-nairobi-mombasa-17022026)

Q: How did the strike end?

A: Transport ministry talks on February 17 led to a return-to-work formula signed by KAWU, KCAA, KAA, and labour officials. Parties agreed to immediate resumption and further conciliation on grievances. Operations began normalizing right after.[[6]](https://www.transport.go.ke/nairobi-kenya-february-17-2026-industrial-action-resolved-jkia-operations-resume)

Q: Were flights fully back to normal after the deal?

A: The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority stated operations would resume immediately, with full normalization expected within 24 hours. Airlines adjusted schedules to clear backlogs from delays and cancellations.[[2]](https://apnews.com/article/kenya-airport-strike-nairobi-jomo-kenyatta-union-3c281f8deef5472b3eb4fc11375e64a0)