Kenya’s airport operations are set to return to normal after the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) called off its industrial action following a return-to-work agreement with the government.
The deal addresses several of the issues that triggered the strike, including agency fees, stalled collective bargaining negotiations, union recognition at Jambojet, workers’ return to duty and protection from victimisation.
Under the agreement, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is required to release agency fees owed to KAWU and currently held by the authority. The money is to be remitted to the union with immediate effect.
The agreement also provides a fresh path for resolving the long-running dispute over the Collective Bargaining Agreement between KAWU and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission has withdrawn its earlier guidance issued on July 28, 2026, and issued new parameters to guide the negotiations.
KAWU has expressed reservations over the new guidelines issued on September 1 but has agreed with KCAA to resume negotiations immediately.
KCAA management has committed to negotiate in good faith and to honour and implement the outcome of the CBA negotiations.
However, the agreement does not settle the separate dispute between KAWU and Jambojet over union recognition.
The parties acknowledged that the matter is already before the courts and agreed to await the court’s determination. They have committed to respect and comply with the eventual ruling and take any action required under the court’s directives.
Jambojet has also committed to complying with applicable legal and procedural requirements on trade union recognition.
The agreement formally ends the industrial action and requires affected workers to resume their normal duties immediately after its execution.
Employees are expected to work with management to ensure the “immediate restoration and continuity of normal operations” at the country’s airports following the disruption caused by the strike.
The deal also shields workers who took part in the industrial action from disciplinary measures linked to the strike.
It states that no employee should be “victimised, intimidated, discriminated against or subjected to disciplinary action” because of their participation.
KAWU and the government have further agreed to maintain industrial peace and address any remaining disputes through consultation, negotiations and established dispute-resolution mechanisms.
The agreement therefore brings the immediate strike to an end, while leaving some of the union’s underlying grievances to be resolved through fresh negotiations and the courts.