Kenya’s aviation sector narrowly avoided a complete shutdown on Thursday after the Employment and Labour Relations Court issued a temporary injunction blocking a strike planned by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2026.
Lady Justice Agnes Nzei granted the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority’s urgent application, restraining the union and its members from proceeding with industrial action that threatened to paralyze operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other facilities across the country.
The court order, issued on February 12, prohibits KAWU from acting on its February 9 strike notice and bars aviation workers from “engaging in any strike action” that would interfere with KCAA’s oversight of aviation safety, security, and economic regulation.
“Pending hearing and determination of the application inter-partes, an interim order be and is hereby issued restraining the Respondent, its agents and servants from declaring a strike which interferes with Claimant’s/Applicant’s primary functions towards the regulation and oversight of Aviation Safety and Security, Economic Regulation of Air Services and development of Civil Aviation in Kenya,” she ordered.
The ruling comes amid escalating tensions between aviation workers and management over grievances dating back over a decade. KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema has repeatedly warned authorities of drastic consequences if workers’ demands remain unaddressed.
“We will close the airspace, ground everything, and shut down all Kenyan airports. This is a warning. If they do not intervene and resolve our issues within seven days, we will take action,”Ndiema declared during a press briefing in January.
Union Chairman Walter Ongeri echoed frustrations over KCAA’s alleged refusal to negotiate, accusing management of implementing organizational restructuring without consulting workers. He described the changes as undermining collective bargaining and misclassifying operational staff as managers to exclude them from unionization.
The union’s grievances center on salary stagnation affecting thousands of aviation workers. Ndiema revealed that many employees have gone without pay increases for over 11 years, since 2015, despite Kenya’s inflation climbing significantly during that period.
KCAA employee Peter Gichuri highlighted constitutional concerns, stating, “The Constitution of Kenya is very clear that every employee has the right to join a union. When we are blocked, we are left to wonder who is left to fight for us.”
The union also raised concerns about contract workers being denied benefits and recognition afforded to permanent staff, despite performing similar duties.
KCAA has assured stakeholders that aviation operations continue normally and maintains that dialogue through established labor frameworks remains ongoing. The court has scheduled the matter for mention on February 26 for further directions.
The standoff recalls September 2025, when a similar strike paralyzed JKIA for two days before government intervention restored operations.
