Kenya airport strike chaos unfolded Monday as workers at the country’s main aviation hub downed tools, grounding flights and stranding thousands of passengers in Nairobi.
Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport were disrupted after staff demanded better pay and improved working conditions. The strike triggered widespread delays affecting both departures and arrivals.
Kenya Airways issued a travel advisory urging customers to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport. The airline warned that air traffic control delays were forcing schedule adjustments and cautioned passengers not to travel without confirmation.
Outside the terminals, thousands of stranded travelers were seen sitting with luggage, waiting for updates. Some families told Associated Press that relatives remained stuck inside airport buildings with little information.
Among those affected was Canadian tourist Trent Bryski, whose planned trip to Uganda was abruptly halted. He said his visa had expired because immigration records showed he had already exited Kenya. Authorities issued him a temporary letter as uncertainty over departure times persisted. His birthday celebration in Entebbe was canceled.
Another traveler, Linda Chebet, said flight delays prevented her from accompanying her mother to Eldoret, forcing a last-minute change of plans.
The Kenya Airports Authority said it had activated contingency measures to reduce disruption and expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with union representatives.
Airport workers had issued a strike notice last week after talks over improved wages, benefits and working conditions stalled. The breakdown in negotiations culminated in Monday’s shutdown.
The Kenya airport strike has spotlighted labor tensions at one of East Africa’s busiest transit hubs. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serves as a key gateway for regional and international travel, making any disruption highly impactful.
Authorities are now racing to resolve the impasse and restore normal flight operations as stranded passengers await clarity.
