Adani Group faces protests in Kenya
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after workers went on strike protesting a proposed 30-year lease to India’s Adani Group.
Hundreds of travellers have found themselves in an extraordinary pickle at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after airport workers downed tools, protesting against a proposed deal that would see the airport leased to India’s Adani Group. The strike, which unfolded on Wednesday, left passengers stranded, with flights delayed or cancelled and tensions simmering beneath the surface.
Large queues snaked outside the terminal as early as dawn, with passengers anxiously waiting for any word on their flights. The disruption was triggered by concerns from the aviation workers’ union, which has raised serious doubts over the transparency of the deal, fearing job losses and what they called an “opaque” agreement.
By Wednesday evening, there was a glimmer of hope as union leaders announced they would return to work, following assurances from the government that no agreement would be finalised without the union’s nod of approval. However, the disruption left passengers and airport staff alike at their wit’s end.
A Chaotic Scene Unfolds
Video footage aired by local broadcaster Citizen TV painted a rather grim picture: workers blowing plastic trumpets and chanting “Adani must go” while a protester appeared to be struck by a baton-wielding police officer. The scene was chaotic, to say the least, and for many passengers, the uncertainty was all the more exasperating.
The Zimbabwean national football team, fresh off an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uganda, was also among the stranded, left in the lurch with no news on their onward flight to Harare. Even pilots and cabin crew found themselves queuing outside the airport, bemused by the lack of communication.
Flights in Limbo
By early Wednesday morning, some semblance of order began to emerge, though it was far from smooth sailing. Kenya Airways, the national carrier, reported that only a third of their scheduled flights had departed on time. Allan Kilavuka, the airline’s chief, expressed disappointment but remained hopeful that normal operations would resume soon.
As the Kenya Airports Authority scrambled to settle the dispute, “minimal operations” resumed, but the ripple effect of the strike was felt far and wide, with other airports across Kenya joining the industrial action.
The Adani Deal: A Bone of Contention
At the heart of the unrest lies the proposed deal with the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate with interests spanning ports, airports, and renewable energy. The group stands to inject a staggering $1.85bn (£1.41bn) into the airport, including the construction of a new runway and the upgrade of the passenger terminal. Yet the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union, alongside human rights groups, have lambasted the move, branding it a reckless handover of a strategic national asset.
Critics argue that the deal could result in widespread job cuts and compromises to national security. The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission have even taken the matter to the High Court, stalling the deal for the time being while a judicial review is conducted.
Adding fuel to the fire are lingering concerns about the Adani Group’s business practices. The conglomerate, owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, has long been associated with allegations of corrupt dealings and undue influence, particularly its perceived closeness to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Though Mr. Adani denies any wrongdoing, the group has faced its fair share of controversies, including accusations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud.
A Waiting Game
For now, passengers remain in limbo, perched on suitcases or slumped on benches, desperately awaiting news of their flights. The scene is one of quiet resilience, though patience is wearing thin. As the dust settles on this latest episode of industrial action, the future of Kenya’s main gateway to the world remains uncertain.
Whether the Adani deal will eventually go ahead remains to be seen. One thing’s for certain, though – this strike has ruffled more than a few feathers, and it’s clear that many in Kenya are not prepared to let the deal fly without a fight.
Sources: BBC
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