KAWU Secretary general Moss Ndiema/SCREENGRAB
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has issued a strike notice, warning of possible disruption to air travel and airport operations across the country if its grievances are not addressed.
KAWU said the planned industrial action would involve aviation workers and warned travellers to brace for possible inconveniences should the dispute remain unresolved.
Speaking during a meeting, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema said the union had raised concerns over what it described as persistent violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
He said workers had exhausted available avenues to resolve the dispute.
According to the union, repeated engagements had failed to produce meaningful progress, leaving workers with no option but to issue a strike notice.
The union called for immediate intervention to address the outstanding grievances, saying failure to act within the notice period would trigger nationwide industrial action affecting key aviation services.
"Seven days, from the 20th on Monday, you are likely to face inconveniences and likely to run into challenges if you are to use any of our facilities in this republic," Ndiema said.
If the strike proceeds, it could affect flight operations, passenger handling, cargo services and other airport functions.
Ndiema said the union was not seeking to cripple the aviation industry but wanted agreements reached with workers to be honoured.
"We want a successful, prosperous aviation sector. But that cannot be achieved at the detriment of workers' rights. We won't accept that," he said.
He added that aviation workers were prepared to demonstrate their importance to the sector if their concerns continued to be ignored.
"They will realise power resides in us, not them," Ndiema said.
KAWU urged the relevant parties to engage the union and resolve the dispute before the expiry of the seven-day strike notice.
The union said that if no agreement is reached, the strike is expected to begin on July 20, potentially disrupting domestic and international air travel.
