The trouble it took, including personal calls by President Ruto, for KAWU to call off strike

The Strike & Resolution

• Aviation workers’ strike disrupted JKIA, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret airports.

• Talks expected to last 3 hours stretched to 15 hours.

• Return-to-work agreement signed at about 5am, just as President Ruto was leaving for Zambia.

Government Intervention

• Ruto directed ministries to resolve the crisis via a high-level meeting at Transcom House.

• Meeting convened by CS Davis Chirchir; attended by KAWU officials, CS Alfred Mutua, COTU’s Francis Atwoli, SRC officials, and principal secretaries.

• Ruto personally called negotiators around 4am to push for a deal.

Key Union Demands

• Better working conditions.

• Removal of KAA Managing Director Moses Wekesa.

• Conclusion of a pending CBA with KCAA.

The Wekesa Dispute

• Government resisted firing Wekesa, citing legal exposure (he had a 3-year contract, served only 6 months).

• Wekesa threatened legal challenges if removed.

• His removal was reportedly weighed against Ruto’s political interests in Western Kenya ahead of 2027.

• Wekesa stayed on; issue remained unresolved in the final deal.

CBA Outcome (Kawu–KCAA)

• 1.5% annual salary adjustment for the 2025–2027 CBA period.

• SRC to issue new negotiation parameters.

• Talks to continue in Naivasha on allowances and other issues.

Kawu–Jambojet Dispute

• Centered on union recognition and collective bargaining.

• Parties agreed to await a pending court case outcome.

• Jambojet committed to complying with legal/procedural trade union requirements.

Industry Reaction

• KAAO, AFRAA, and Kenya Tourism Federation criticized the disruption.

• Cited poor contingency planning and late passenger notices.

• AFRAA warned of wider damage to Nairobi’s regional aviation hub status.