The Kenya Airports Authority has acknowledged ongoing delays affecting departing flights from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport due to a labour dispute between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
In a statement on Monday, KAA’s Acting Managing Director and CEO, Dr Mohamud Gedi, said contingency plans had been activated.
“Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for scheduled updates,” Gedi said.
He reiterated the authority’s commitment to safety and operational excellence at all its airports.
Kenya Airways, in response, advised passengers to expect possible schedule adjustments and to check their flight status before travelling to the airport.
The airline noted that it is working closely with aviation authorities and airport stakeholders “to minimise disruption and maintain safe operations.”
Passengers have been encouraged to monitor official Kenya Airways communication channels for updates and explore rebooking options via the mobile app or website if necessary.
The airline also advised: “Passengers are advised not to proceed to the airport without a confirmed flight status.”
For assistance, customers can contact Kenya Airways’ Customer Excellence team via phone, WhatsApp, or X (@KQSupport).
Both organisations confirmed that further updates will be shared through official communication channels as new information becomes available, assuring the public that contingency measures are in place to manage the impact of the labour dispute on airport operations.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) had issued a seven-day strike notice to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, citing long-standing labour disputes and what it terms persistent violations of workers’ rights by management.
The notice ends on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, signalling the onset of the industrial action.
In a letter dated February 9, 2026, addressed to KCAA Director General Emile N. Arao, the union said all unionisable employees would down their tools upon expiry of the notice period if the issues raised are not “adequately addressed and conclusively resolved.”
The notice was issued pursuant to Article 41(2)(d) of the Constitution and Section 76 of the Labour Relations Act, 2007.
At the centre of the dispute is the failure to negotiate and conclude a Collective Bargaining Agreement since 2015. KAWU said the last CBA lapsed more than a decade ago and that subsequent negotiations have stalled due to management’s alleged refusal to engage.
“The consequence of your actions is that terms and conditions of service for unionisable employees of the Authority have remained unreviewed and stagnant for over ten years,” the union stated.
The union also accused KCAA of refusing to deduct union dues for employees in Grades 4 and 5 who have opted to join the union.
According to KAWU, management has ignored statutory Form S submissions, contrary to Section 48(3) of the Labour Relations Act.
“By its refusal, Management has violated the rights of its employees to join the Union as provided under Article 41(2)(c) of the Constitution,” the letter said.
Another major grievance raised is the prolonged engagement of employees on contract and temporary terms in roles described as permanent and established, including positions at the East African School of Aviation.
The union alleged that some workers are terminated and later re-engaged to keep them on inferior terms, denying them equal pay and fair labour practices.
KAWU further faulted KCAA for developing and implementing new human resource instruments without union involvement, contrary to Public Service Commission guidelines issued in August 2023.
The union said the unilateral rollout of new structures and grading systems has resulted in job downgrades and pay cuts, which it termed “unlawful, null and void.”
The union also cited defiance of a court order directing KCAA to renew the contract of Flight Operations Inspector Vivian Ongwae.
“The Management has to date refused to renew her contract in blatant defiance of the Court Order,” KAWU said, demanding full compliance, including payment of arrears and damages.
KAWU also accused KCAA management of anti-union posturing, including failure to facilitate union representatives to attend key meetings.
“Unless all the above issues in dispute are adequately addressed… we shall have no other alternative but to resort to industrial action,” the union warned.
