A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Kenya’s skies this morning as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) formally issued a seven-day strike notice. The union has threatened a "total shutdown" of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other key hubs if the government does not immediately address salary grievances that have festered for over a decade.

The clock is ticking. KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema, flanked by angry officials, declared that the union’s patience has run out. "We will close the airspace, ground everything, and shut down all Kenyan airports," Ndiema warned. "This is not a drill. If they do not intervene within seven days, we will take action."

11 Years of Stagnation

At the heart of the dispute is a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that workers say has been ignored for 11 years. While inflation has eroded the purchasing power of the Kenyan shilling, aviation staff claim their pay slips have remained frozen in time. The union accuses the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) of "discriminatory treatment" and bad faith during mediation talks.

The Stakes are High

• Economic Paralysis: JKIA is the nerve center of East African aviation. A shutdown would not only strand thousands of passengers but cripple Kenya’s flower and fresh produce exports—a sector that pumps billions into the economy daily.
• Mediation Collapse: The union revealed that court-ordered mediation talks have collapsed. "Our members are frustrated," said Union official Walter Ongeri. "We are asking the government to save face before this escalates into a national embarrassment."
• Government Response: The Ministry of Labour is scrambling to avert the crisis. Insiders suggest emergency meetings have been called, but the gap between the workers' demands and the authority's offer remains a chasm.

A Looming Crisis

For travelers planning to fly next week, the advice is to watch this space closely. If the strike proceeds, it will be the most significant disruption to Kenyan aviation since the industrial actions of 2024. The ball is now firmly in the government's court: pay up, or watch the country's gateways grind to a halt.