The government has formally apologised for the widespread disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as a strike by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) enters its third day.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has acknowledged the severity of the crisis, emphasising its heavy toll on passengers, airlines, businesses, and the country’s international connectivity.
In a statement issued to newsrooms, Mudavadi assured the public that the government is treating the situation with the utmost urgency and pursuing good-faith negotiations to resolve the dispute swiftly.
The ongoing industrial action has severely disrupted operations at Kenya’s main international gateway, leading to extensive flight delays, cancellations, and schedule changes. As of Monday, low-cost carrier Jambojet reported that only two of its 55 scheduled flights had taken off by late morning due to air traffic control constraints.
Major carriers, including Kenya Airways, RwandAir, and Uganda Airlines, have also reported significant operational challenges caused by ground congestion, prompting airlines to advise passengers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport.
Regretting the severe inconvenience caused to travellers, Mudavadi urged affected passengers to remain patient and coordinate directly with their respective airlines for alternative travel arrangements.
The disruption follows similar industrial action in February, raising renewed concerns among industry stakeholders about JKIA’s reliability as a regional aviation hub and highlighting the need for stronger contingency planning.
Industry leaders have warned that repeated operational disruptions risk undermining confidence in Kenya’s aviation sector, with potential long-term consequences for tourism, trade, investment, and diplomacy.
Emphasising that JKIA remains a critical national gateway, the government said it is prioritising the safe and orderly restoration of full airport operations while pledging to provide regular updates as talks progress.
