Passengers Stranded Amid Strike at Main Kenya Airport

Travelers Left in Limbo as Airport Workers Down Tools

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Kenya's main airport on Monday as workers went on strike over pay. The strike by Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) employees caused chaos at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with flights delayed and canceled.

The workers are demanding a 15% pay increase, which the KAA has said it cannot afford. The strike is the latest in a series of industrial actions by Kenyan workers in recent months, as the country grapples with rising inflation.

Passengers Stranded for Hours

Passengers at JKIA faced long delays and cancellations as a result of the strike. Some passengers were stranded for hours, with no information about when their flights would depart. Others were forced to rebook their flights on alternative airlines.

The strike is expected to continue until the KAA and the workers reach an agreement. The KAA has said it is committed to resolving the issue as quickly as possible, but the workers have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met.

Impact on Tourism

The strike is likely to have a significant impact on Kenya's tourism industry. JKIA is the country's main gateway for international visitors, and the strike is likely to deter some tourists from traveling to Kenya.

The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) has expressed concern about the impact of the strike on the industry. The KTF has urged the KAA and the workers to resolve their dispute quickly to minimize the damage to the tourism sector.

Government Intervention

The Kenyan government has intervened in the dispute between the KAA and the workers. The government has urged both parties to reach a compromise that will end the strike and allow the airport to resume normal operations.

The government has also said it is prepared to take action against the workers if they do not end the strike. The government has warned it could suspend the workers' union and even fire the strikers if they do not return to work.