Also known as: KAWU
Union representing aviation workers across Kenya's airports and airlines; conducted multi-day strike in late August 2026 demanding improved welfare and working conditions.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
Audio By VocalizeThe Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has ordered its members back to work, calling off a two-day strike after signing a return-to-work agreement with the government. …
Aviation workers end strike after government dealCapital News
… The statement came as the industrial action by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) disrupted flights at JKIA, Kenya’s main international gateway, with airlines reporting delays, cancellations and changes to flight schedules. …
Govt apologises over JKIA disruption as Mudavadi says talks to end aviation strike continueCitizen Digital
… Workers affiliated with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union downed tools at multiple agencies, including the Kenya Airports Authority and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, affecting both domestic and international routes. …
Gov't apologises for JKIA disruption, vows urgent talks with all partiesCapital News
… The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) strike, which began on Sunday, has disrupted air traffic services at JKIA and other airports, leaving passengers stranded and forcing airlines to delay or cancel flights. …
Flights disrupted for second day as Transport Ministry stays silent on aviation strikeCapital News
… The Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO), African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) said the industrial action by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which began on August 30, has caused delays, cancellations, diversions, rerouting and prol …
Aviation strike threatens Kenya’s regional hub status as flights disruptedCitizen Digital
… The strike, which began on Sunday, was called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) after workers downed their tools at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airports Authority and Jambojet. …
KAA asks passengers to liase with airlines amid flight disruptions at JKIACitizen Digital
… The industrial action started on Sunday as aviation workers, under the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), declared go-slows across Kenyan airports. …
Kenya Airways announces 6-hour flight delays after aviation workers' strikeCitizen Digital
… en Kirui/ Citizen Digital window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); This is after aviation workers, under the Kenya Aviation Workers Union …
Passengers spend night at JKIA as aviation workers strike persistsThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeHundreds of passengers remained stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and other airports on Monday as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) strike entered its second day. …
Hundreds remain stranded as aviation workers' strike enters day twoThe Standard
… It's ruining our itinerary," 22-year-old traveller William Obino told AFP.The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) says it is striking over a longstanding failure of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to finalise a new collective bargaining agreement. …
Passengers stranded overnight by Kenya airport strikeGlobal aviation has faced repeated industrial action from ground staff and flight crews in Germany, Portugal, France, and Italy. Kenya Airways and Jambojet estimated losses of nearly Ksh1 billion in three days following a go-slow by Kenya Aviation Workers Union members, though the carrier's own employees did not participate in the action.
18 September 2026 · The Standard →
Global aviation has faced repeated industrial action from ground staff and flight crews in Germany, Portugal, France, and Italy. Kenya Airways and Jambojet estimated losses of nearly Ksh1 billion in three days following a go-slow by Kenya Aviation Workers Union members, though the carrier's own employees did not participate in the action.
18 September 2026 · The Standard →
Some aviation workers at Kenya Airports Authority have distanced themselves from a seven-day strike notice issued by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, saying disputes should be resolved through dialogue instead of industrial action. The workers, led by Aviation Security Instructor Joyce Kaburu, also challenged the legality of KAWU's leadership and demanded fresh union elections.
16 September 2026 · The Standard →
Senior Counsel Paul Muite and family members are demanding more than Sh3 million from Kenya Airways after Flight KQ491 was cancelled on August 31, allegedly leaving them stranded at Zanzibar's airport for roughly seven and a half hours without basic assistance. The family hired a private charter aircraft to return to Nairobi and their lawyers accuse the airline of breaching contractual obligations.
8 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lawyer Paul Muite is demanding compensation from Kenya Airways after Flight KQ491 from Zanzibar to Nairobi was cancelled during a workers' strike on August 31, stranding his family for hours and forcing them to charter a private plane for USD 20,500 (2.65 million).
7 September 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya Airways says it lost over Ksh.904 million (US$7 million) during a three-day industrial action that resulted in 63 cancelled flights and over 160 flight delays exceeding six hours on average, with additional losses from passenger accommodation costs and over 370 tonnes of cargo unable to be uplifted. The strike was resolved after a Return-to-Work Agreement was signed, and normal operations have resumed.
3 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union strike has ended, but Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir says the economic impact has been huge, with stakeholders continuing to bear the costs even as normal aviation operations resume.
2 September 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya Airways reported more than Sh900 million in lost revenue and additional disruption-related costs following a three-day industrial action that disrupted aviation operations across the country. The airline cancelled 63 flights and recorded more than 160 delays, and the disruption also affected Kenya's air-cargo supply chain, with over 370 tonnes of fresh produce and meat unable to be uplifted.
2 September 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's aviation operations have resumed to normal after aviation workers called off their strike, with major airports handling 244 arrivals and departures between 3 a.m. and noon on Tuesday. The Kenya Airports Authority said all airports were operating normally and working to progressively restore flight schedules.
1 September 2026 · Capital News →
Jambojet warned passengers to expect continued flight delays as it clears a backlog caused by an air traffic control strike at Kenya's airports. The airline said normal operations should resume by September 2 and noted its staff did not participate in the strike.
1 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Aviation workers called off their industrial action and resumed duties after reaching a return-to-work agreement with employers. The deal provides for the immediate remittance of agency fees owed to the Kenya Aviation Workers Union by the Kenya Airports Authority, and clears the way for fresh negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between KAWU and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
1 September 2026 · Capital News →
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union has called off its strike following a return-to-work agreement with the government and other parties, directing members to resume normal duties immediately and restoring operations at four paralysed airports.
1 September 2026 · The Standard →
The government has apologised for disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport caused by an aviation workers' strike entering its second day, saying urgent talks were underway to resolve the dispute and restore normal operations. Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi said the government recognised the severe impact on passengers, airlines, businesses and Kenya's international connectivity.
31 August 2026 · Capital News →
The government has apologised for the ongoing disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, citing its impact on passengers, airlines and businesses. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government is engaging all parties involved with talks ongoing to resolve the matter and restore normal operations.
31 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A Kenya Aviation Workers Union strike that began Sunday continued into Monday, causing flight delays and cancellations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other airports. The government said it was working toward an amicable settlement, though the Transport Ministry remained publicly silent on the disruption.
31 August 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya's aviation industry bodies have called for an urgent end to an air traffic services strike that began August 30, warning that prolonged disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is threatening flight safety, passenger connectivity and the country's reputation as a regional aviation hub. The strike has caused delays, cancellations, diversions and rerouting at JKIA and other Kenyan airports.
31 August 2026 · Capital News →
The Kenya Airports Authority has advised passengers to contact their airlines to confirm flight status as industrial action by aviation workers continues to disrupt Air Traffic Control services at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, causing delays and cancellations. Kenya Airways reported delays of more than six hours and rescheduled or cancelled flights.
31 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya Airways announced that an ongoing nationwide strike by aviation workers has caused flight disruptions at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with delays exceeding 6 hours, prompting the carrier to reschedule some flights and advise passengers to confirm their flight status before traveling.
31 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Hundreds of passengers remained stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport since Sunday after Kenya Aviation Workers Union began a strike demanding improved welfare, working conditions, and implementation of employment benefits. Airlines were processing hotel transfers for stranded passengers on Monday morning.
31 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Hundreds of passengers remained stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other Kenyan airports on Monday as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union strike entered its second day. Aviation workers are demanding improved welfare, better working conditions and implementation of previously agreed employment benefits, with the strike affecting Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airports Authority, and Jambojet.
31 August 2026 · The Standard →
A strike by workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport entered its second day on Monday, forcing hundreds of passengers to remain at the terminal with multiple flights cancelled and delays of two to three hours. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union is striking over the Kenya Airports Authority's failure to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement and opposition to the use of National Youth Service volunteers as staff.
31 August 2026 · The Standard →
Air traffic controllers and airport authority staff struck, demanding improved welfare, better working conditions and implementation of previously agreed employment benefits. The strike disrupted flight operations, with several airlines delaying or rescheduling flights across major Kenyan airports including Jomo Kenyatta International and Moi International.
30 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Aviation workers went on strike at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airports Authority, and Jambojet on Sunday morning, reviving disruption threats a month after a government-brokered truce. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union says members will not resume work until grievances against all three employers are settled.
30 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's aviation workers have suspended a nationwide strike scheduled to begin Friday after the government brokered an agreement with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) to resolve labour disputes. The suspension averts disruptions at airports including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and provides relief to airlines, passengers, and businesses dependent on airport operations.
27 July 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) suspended a nationwide strike scheduled for July 28 after a breakthrough meeting with the government and aviation agencies, leading to a framework agreement that sets out a schedule for negotiations over workers' grievances across various aviation institutions.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya Aviation Workers Union opposes the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority's plan to replace civilian security personnel with National Youth Service officers at airports, citing a direct threat to members' jobs. A nationwide strike remains on course unless employers address the labour grievance.
24 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has opposed a reported KCAA plan to deploy National Youth Service personnel in airport security roles, warning it would replace permanent workers with insecure labour. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union is meanwhile pursuing a seven-day strike notice, citing grievances including that KCAA employees have gone more than 11 years without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement or salary review.
24 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union has issued a seven-day strike notice affecting employees at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Airways, and Jambojet over unresolved labour disputes including delayed collective bargaining agreements and job security concerns.
23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya Aviation Workers Union maintains its planned nationwide strike will proceed unless the government addresses long-standing labour disputes, including failure to conclude collective bargaining agreements and alleged disregard for court orders. The union has given employers until Saturday for fruitful negotiations, warning of a "devastating" strike that would affect operations at Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airways and Jambojet.
23 July 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union has warned of a nationwide strike set to begin if employers do not address grievances by the end of the week. Workers from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Airways and Jambojet cite unmet demands including a Collective Bargaining Agreement and salary review at KCAA that have been in arrears for more than 11 years.
23 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's aviation workers have issued a seven-day strike notice effective Monday, threatening to ground operations at all airports if labour disputes are not resolved. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union cited grievances including failure to conclude a collective bargaining agreement at KCAA (expired in June 2015), unilateral HR policy changes, and non-compliance with court orders to absorb contract staff into permanent positions.
18 July 2026 · The Standard →