‘I Won’t Sign!’ – KAWU Boss Confirms No Deal On JKIA Sale As Airports Return To Normalcy
On Wednesday evening, Moses Ndiema, Secretary General of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), announced the suspension of the strike that had crippled operations at Kenya’s major airports.
The strike, which began on Tuesday night and escalated by Wednesday, severely disrupted airport services, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
COTU's Francis Atwoli: We have received Adani-JKIA takeover deal documents.
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) September 11, 2024
Govt and KAA shall not, shall is mandatory, shall not enter into any final agreement without concurrence with aviation workers. pic.twitter.com/sZgCvNooRN
The decision to temporarily halt the strike was made following high-level negotiations between KAWU officials and government representatives.
The participants included Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) acting managing director Henry Ogoye, Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli, and Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, among others.
During a press briefing at JKIA, Ndiema clarified that the decision to end the strike does not imply that the aviation workers have agreed to the government’s plan to lease JKIA to the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate.
He emphasized that the KAWU’s stance on the issue remains unchanged and that aviation workers will have a say in any potential agreement.
Ndiema stated that the union had won a significant victory during the negotiations, ensuring that no agreement with Adani would be signed without the KAWU’s approval.
He promised aviation workers that he would never approve a deal that jeopardized their interests.
“Ata wakate mkono sita sign,” meaning, “Even if they cut my hand, I won’t sign.”
Moses Ndiema: Sasa tumemaliza mgomo. Tumekuwa hapa tangu juzi hata mimi sijaoga. Kama hii airport ingekuwa mzuri tungekuwa na maji warm ya kuoga, tungekuwa na hoteli mngepelekwa mkule lakini haidhuru. Wanyonge sisi tutaishi hivyo. Nobody should harass you pic.twitter.com/b7q9vBT0BX
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) September 11, 2024
“What I can say on my part very briefly ni kwamba hatujasema sisi tumekubali Adani Ndiema reassured the workers, reinforcing his commitment to their cause.
“Pili, tutapewa kura ya turufu – veto power ambayo kalamu yetu itahitajika ndo isonge hatua moja mbele, hio ni sawa sawa? Na si munanijua? Si munaniamini? Kama ni mbaya si ntawaambia? Na ata wakate mkono sita sign sindio?”
Francis Atwoli, Cotu Secretary General, added that KAWU had received all of the documents it had requested from the government regarding the proposed Adani deal.
He stated that KAWU and other involved parties would thoroughly review the documents over the next ten working days to identify and address any issues.
“Tulikua hatuna documents, documents have been made available to us – most pertinent documents as requested by the union,” Atwoli said.
“We undertake to go through them within 10 working days and flag out areas of our concern, which shall immediately be pointed out with a view of jointly engaging in discussion with the government, Kenya Airways, and KAA.”
In addition, the meeting agreed that no employee would face repercussions for participating in the strike.
The KAA was also asked to withdraw a court case against the union involving the strike notice.
Transport CS Chirchir acknowledged the ongoing court case and stated that the government would use it to ensure transparency by providing the court and other stakeholders with all relevant information about the proposed lease deal.
‘I Won’t Sign!’ – KAWU Boss Confirms No Deal On JKIA Sale As Airports Return To Normalcy
