'Adani Must Go' Chants at JKIA as Aviation Strike Gains Momentum

Aviation Workers in Kenya Down Tools, Demand Removal of Adani Group from Airport Operations

Hundreds of aviation workers in Kenya took to the streets on Monday, chanting "Adani must go," as a strike over the management of the country's main airport gained momentum. The strike, which began on Friday, has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and stranded thousands of passengers.

The workers are demanding the removal of the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate, from the management of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). They accuse the Adani Group of mismanagement and corruption, and say that the company has failed to improve the airport's infrastructure and services.

Background of the Dispute

The Adani Group was awarded a 25-year concession to operate JKIA in 2016. Since then, the company has been embroiled in controversy. In 2019, the Kenyan government launched an investigation into alleged corruption in the awarding of the concession. The investigation is still ongoing.

The workers' strike is the latest development in the ongoing dispute. The workers have vowed to continue their strike until the Adani Group is removed from JKIA.

Impact of the Strike

The strike has had a significant impact on Kenya's aviation industry. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled, and thousands of passengers have been stranded. The strike is also costing the Kenyan economy millions of dollars in lost revenue.

The government has urged the workers to return to work, but the workers have refused. They say that they will not return to work until the Adani Group is removed from JKIA.

Government Response

The Kenyan government has said that it is committed to resolving the dispute. The government has set up a task force to investigate the workers' grievances and make recommendations on how to resolve the issue.

The government has also said that it is open to discussing the possibility of removing the Adani Group from JKIA. However, the government has stressed that any decision will be made in the best interests of the country.

Conclusion

The aviation strike in Kenya is a serious challenge for the government. The strike is having a significant impact on the economy and is stranding thousands of passengers. The government is under pressure to resolve the dispute and get the workers back to work.

The outcome of the strike is uncertain. However, it is clear that the workers are determined to continue their strike until the Adani Group is removed from JKIA.