Air services to continue despite looming aviation workers’ strike, government says
The strike has been called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, which has cited unresolved grievances over job security, delayed confirmations of long-serving staff and the handling of Ground Flight Safety (GFS) operations.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has assured travellers and airlines that air services will not be disrupted, even as employees of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) plan to go on strike this Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
In a statement, the regulator stated that it will fulfil all its statutory functions under the Civil Aviation Act, Cap. 394, remain fully operational and pledged to maintain safe and efficient oversight of aviation operations.
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“The Authority remains fully committed to discharging its mandate in accordance with the law and regulations,” it said.
The agency emphasised that air navigation services, including air traffic control, communication, navigation and surveillance and aeronautical information, are unaffected.
“The safety of aircraft operating within Kenyan airspace, whether overflying, arriving, or departing from our airports, is assured,” the Authority added.
KCAA further reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining effective oversight and service delivery in line with the Civil Aviation Act and Specific Operating Regulations that domesticate ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
“These measures are designed to safeguard the safety, security, and efficiency of civil aviation operations in Kenya,” the Authority said, thanking aviation stakeholders for their cooperation.
The strike has been called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which has cited unresolved grievances over job security, delayed confirmations of long-serving staff and the handling of Ground Flight Safety (GFS) operations.
Major operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) could grind to a halt next week if KAA workers make good their threat to down tools. The union has issued a seven-day strike notice to the KAA management demanding urgent action.
At the centre of the dispute is the alleged transfer of Ground Flight Safety (GFS) operations from KAA to KCAA, a move the union says was made without consultation and could trigger massive job losses and reduced revenue for KAA.
In a letter dated September 22, 2025, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema warned that the GFS transfer was already having dire consequences.
“Despite this matter being of grave concern to the Union, the management has neither consulted us nor shared with us any information regarding the matter,” Ndiema said.
He further alleged that KCAA had already hired its own GFS staff, confirming workers’ worst fears.
The union has also accused KAA of failing to confirm over 500 employees from contract to permanent and pensionable terms, despite years of service.
“We have relentlessly engaged and pleaded with Management to confirm these employees, but to no avail,” Ndiema said.
Other grievances raised include failure to substantively appoint staff who have been promoted, non-payment of overtime allowances for workers at Wilson Airport for more than six months and the dismantling of the human resources department, which the union described as “crippling” the resolution of key labour issues.
The union also cited three unresolved Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
Last Week, agitated employees camped at KAA headquarters in Nairobi, but their attempt to meet management failed.
KAA board chairperson Caleb Kositany said the contract of the human resource manager had expired, affecting the implementation of issues affecting staff.
He, however, clarified that the position would soon be advertised for competitive recruitment.
“The former manager is eligible to apply for the position despite having served for two terms in office,” he said.
On the contentious issue of GFS, Kositany dismissed as untrue claims that the employees had already been transferred to KCAA.
“We have a team from our side, KAA, and the aviation regulator, KCAA, which are currently consulting over the issue. We are doing this in compliance with the requirements and the standards developed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),” he said.
KAWU has now directed all its members to brace for a full-blown strike should KAA fail to address the grievances within the seven-day window, a move that could paralyse airport operations and ground flights.
Ground Flight Safety (GFS) involves all actions to ensure the safety of aircraft, passengers, crew and ground personnel during ground operations at airports. This includes secure parking, safe loading and unloading of baggage and cargo, equipment maintenance and emergency response, all performed by ground crews, safety managers and regulators to prevent incidents and ensure efficiency.
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