Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary-General Moses Ndiema (center) addresses the media in Nairobi on July 23, 2026, announcing a seven-day strike notice over unresolved labour disputes involving KAA, KCAA, Kenya Airways and Jambojet.
NAIROBI, July 23, 2026 — The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has warned that aviation services across the country could grind to a halt if ongoing labour disputes involving four key aviation institutions are not resolved before the expiry of its seven-day strike notice.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, KAWU Secretary-General Moses Ndiema said the strike notice targets the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airways (KQ) and Jambojet over what the union described as unresolved labour grievances, unfair employment practices and concerns over operational safety.
“We have issued a seven-day strike notice because our members have waited for far too long without solutions to the issues affecting them. Where employers engage us in meaningful negotiations and agreements are reached, we are reasonable people and we will call off the strike. But if there is no agreement, they can rest assured that a strike action will happen,” said Ndiema.
He accused the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority of failing to negotiate a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with unionisable employees for the past 11 years, denying many workers improved terms and conditions of service before retirement.
Ndiema further faulted the authority for developing human resource policies without involving the union, saying the instruments should be reviewed jointly by management and workers to ensure fairness and transparency.
At the Kenya Airports Authority, the union opposed the deployment of National Youth Service (NYS) officers to perform duties traditionally undertaken by KAA employees, arguing that the move threatens job security and intimidates existing staff.
“The deployment of NYS officers at our airports is a mistake that must be corrected immediately. If there are qualified NYS graduates, they should be competitively employed as KAA staff instead of being deployed under the NYS banner to perform duties already handled by our members,” Ndiema said.
He also alleged that the arrangement could expose a possible financial scandal, claiming the authority was paying Sh45,000 per officer while the officers reportedly received only Sh5,000, and called for accountability over the difference.
The union also expressed concern over security and operational management at Wilson Airport, accusing KAA of delaying the implementation of government directives requiring the establishment of a central passenger screening point and a proper terminal to strengthen safety oversight.
Ndiema warned that failure to fully implement the measures could undermine Kenya’s aviation safety standards and negatively affect tourism and the country’s international reputation.
On Kenya Airways, the union accused some managers of disregarding established disciplinary procedures contained in the Human Resource Manual and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, saying the system had allegedly been abused to victimise employees.
He said the union had also raised concerns over unpaid crew allowances and unresolved remuneration issues affecting technical staff, adding that negotiations with the airline were ongoing.
Regarding Jambojet, Ndiema accused the airline of intimidating employees, unfairly dismissing staff and frustrating workers from exercising their constitutional right to join a trade union.
He said the union was seeking recognition by the airline and protection of workers’ rights, noting that Jambojet employees were entitled to the same labour rights enjoyed by all Kenyan workers.
Ndiema said KAWU remained open to dialogue and confirmed that meetings with KCAA and Kenya Airways had been scheduled in an effort to resolve the disputes before the strike notice expires.He, however, advised travellers to prepare for possible disruptions if negotiations fail.
“If you do not hear KAWU calling off the strike by Friday or Saturday, make alternative travel arrangements because aviation services across the country could come to a standstill,” he said.
These demands are reasonable and the management of the four institutions should engage the Union to avert the looming strike.The issues of deploying NYS to get cheap labour while paying peanut to the service men/service women is more than meet the eye.