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Hundreds of passengers were stranded at Kenya’s main international airport overnight as the latest strike by workers entered a second day on Monday.
The industrial action, called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, has grounded several flights and caused huge delays, with the national carrier reporting average waiting times of two to three hours on Sunday.
Many passengers spent the night at the airport after their flights were cancelled, according to local media reports.
“Nothing is happening; updates are reaching us late. It’s ruining our itinerary,” 22-year-old traveller William Obino told AFP.
The strike comes during peak travel, dealing a blow to Kenya’s vital tourism sector and the country’s position as East Africa’s primary aviation hub.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, a critical gateway for East Africa and a key driver of Kenya’s tourism industry, has experienced repeated industrial action in recent years as employees demand improved working conditions.
The union said the strike was prompted by the Kenya Airports Authority’s failure to finalise a new collective bargaining agreement, a dispute that has dragged on for years.
Workers are also protesting the authority’s use of National Youth Service volunteers as airport staff, which they argue undermines employment standards and denies qualified workers jobs.
In a brief statement, the airport authority said it was collaborating with airlines and other agencies “to manage the situation, minimise disruption and facilitate the smooth flow of airport operations.”
📢PRESS RELEASE: KAA Passenger Advisory on Flight Operations pic.twitter.com/QbNFkS9Q6G
— Kenya Airports Authority (@KenyaAirports) August 30, 2026
