COTU Raises Alarm Over Gov’t’s Plan To Replace Aviation Workers With NYS
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has expressed opposition to an alleged Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) proposal to replace permanent aviation workers with National Youth Service (NYS) graduates.
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli issued a statement on Friday, July 24, warning that the action could undermine labor standards and jeopardize the job security of hundreds of aviation workers.
According to Atwoli, the union fully supports the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which has opposed what it calls the replacement of respectable staff with questionable labor arrangements.
Atwoli claimed that KCAA intends to deploy NYS personnel to carry out security and screening functions across all airports while existing permanent positions remain vacant or are being replaced.
pic.twitter.com/XFPQ66d3dG— Francis Atwoli NOM (DZA), CBS, EBS, MBS. (@AtwoliDza) July 24, 2026
The labour union clarified that it is not opposed to NYS graduates’ employment, noting that it supports efforts to integrate young people into the labour market.
However, it insisted that any recruitment should be done through permanent and pensionable positions, in line with established public service recruitment procedures.
“COTU wishes to make it clear that we are not opposed to the employment of youths who have completed the NYS programme,” the union said.
“On the contrary, we strongly support their integration into the labour market.”
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The labour union argued that where there is a genuine need for additional personnel, KCAA should recruit NYS graduates into permanent positions instead of engaging them under temporary arrangements.
COTU further stated that workers carrying out permanent functions should be employed on permanent terms and conditions of service.
The Union also described the outsourcing of such roles as both immoral and illegal.
“It is immoral and illegal for a government institution to outsource or substitute permanent employment with low-cost labour arrangements that weaken labour standards and threaten existing jobs,” COTU added.
The workers’ federation called on KCAA to immediately engage the aviation workers’ union through meaningful social dialogue before implementing any staffing changes.
COTU also urged all public employers to refrain from replacing permanent workers with insecure forms of labour as a cost-cutting measure.
COTU Raises Alarm Over Gov’t’s Plan To Replace Aviation Workers With NYS
