Adani faces backlash in Kenya

 

Aviation workers under the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) held a demonstration at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). 

Armed with placards, the workers condemned a Public Private Partnership (PPP) that will see Indian-based Adani Group Holdings take over operations at East Africa’s leading airport, Citizen Digital, a Kenyan media outlet, reported on September 2. 

KAA staff argue that the Adani deal poses a risk to their jobs in favour of foreign workers. 

The aviation workers held the demonstrations early morning, despite an announcement from the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General Moses Ndiema, who laid a 7-day postponement of workers strike in order to ‘review the lease deal. 

Citizen Digital established that a number of flights were delayed on Monday morning as the aviation workers left their work stations to hold the march. 

On 28th July, following the heat created by the Gen-Z protests, President Ruto laboured to explain to his audience that “leasing JKIA out to investors who can work with the government to expand the airport and ensure it serves Kenyans better under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) would be welcome.” 

"Let's be honest Kenyans, the airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas. This is a temporary structure we built almost 7 years ago. Ethiopia have a brand new airport. Rwanda the same. It is the reason why we need to work with investors to have a new airport in Nairobi," Ruto said.