- Hundreds of passengers stranded at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
- The protest has led to flight delays and cancellations
- The investment would fund upgrades to the airport
Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as workers protest against a proposed takeover by the Indian Adani Group.
The protest, which began on Wednesday morning, has led to flight delays and cancellations as workers deliberately slow down operations.
The aviation workers union opposes the 30-year lease agreement, arguing it is “opaque” and could result in job losses.
While the government defends the proposal as necessary to upgrade the airport, which is operating beyond capacity, the workers’ union and other groups have raised concerns about the deal.
Protesters have chanted slogans against the Adani Group and called for the government to abandon the plans.
The disruption has caused significant inconvenience for passengers, including tourists and business travelers. Many have been forced to wait for hours, with little information about their flights.
The Zimbabwe men’s football team was also stranded after a match in Uganda.
The Kenya Airports Authority has acknowledged the disruption and is working to resolve the situation. However, the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union has threatened an indefinite strike if the government does not disclose details of the deal with the Adani Group.
The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission have also criticized the plans, arguing that leasing a strategic national asset to a private company is unreasonable.
A legal challenge to the deal is currently pending before the High Court.
The Adani Group, a major Indian conglomerate, has offered to invest $1.85 billion in JKIA in exchange for a 30-year lease.
The investment would fund upgrades to the airport, including a new runway and passenger terminal.
The Adani Group has faced criticism in the past, with allegations of corrupt practices and stock manipulation.
While the company denies these allegations, they have raised concerns among some Kenyans about the proposed takeover.
