By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, July 24 ,2026 - The Employment and Labour Relations Court has temporarily halted a planned nationwide aviation strike that threatened to disrupt flights across Kenya, granting employers and the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) more time to resolve a long-running labour dispute through negotiations.
The court issued conservatory orders suspending the industrial action after aviation employers moved to court, arguing that the strike would paralyse operations at the country's airports and cause significant economic losses. The matter will now proceed through court-supervised negotiations as both sides seek an amicable settlement.
The decision offers relief to thousands of passengers and businesses that had feared major disruptions at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other airports following KAWU's seven-day strike notice issued earlier this month.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union had announced plans for a nationwide strike involving employees from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airways and Jambojet, accusing the four institutions of repeatedly violating Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and failing to address long-standing labour concerns.
Among the union's grievances are delayed implementation of negotiated agreements, alleged unfair disciplinary procedures, victimisation of union officials, job security concerns and unresolved employee welfare issues.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema maintained that workers had exhausted available dispute resolution mechanisms before issuing the strike notice.
"We want a successful, prosperous aviation sector, but that cannot be achieved at the detriment of workers' rights," Ndiema said while announcing the industrial action.
By suspending the strike, the court has effectively preserved normal airport operations while giving both parties an opportunity to continue negotiations.
The interim orders mean airlines, airport authorities and aviation service providers can continue operating as discussions proceed under the supervision of the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
The ruling also shields Kenya's aviation industry from disruptions that could have affected both domestic and international travel during one of the busiest periods for regional passenger movement.
Kenya's aviation sector is a critical pillar of the economy, supporting tourism, international trade, cargo movement and regional connectivity.
JKIA serves as East Africa's busiest aviation hub, handling millions of passengers and substantial cargo volumes annually. Any prolonged disruption would likely have affected airlines, exporters, importers, tourism operators and businesses dependent on time-sensitive air freight.
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The potential strike also raised concerns among horticultural exporters, whose fresh produce relies heavily on uninterrupted air cargo services to European and Middle Eastern markets.
The latest standoff mirrors previous disputes between KAWU and aviation employers.
Earlier this year, the Employment and Labour Relations Court similarly intervened to suspend an aviation strike before directing parties back to negotiations, eventually leading to a temporary settlement.
However, union officials argue that several commitments made during those earlier negotiations remain unimplemented, prompting the latest industrial action threat.
With the strike temporarily suspended, attention now shifts to negotiations between the union, aviation employers and government agencies.
If the parties reach an agreement, normal industrial relations could resume without disruption to passengers.
However, should negotiations collapse after the court orders lapse, the threat of industrial action may resurface, potentially affecting airport operations nationwide.
For now, travellers can continue with their travel plans as scheduled, while Kenya's aviation sector gains another opportunity to resolve one of its most significant labour disputes through dialogue rather than disruption.