Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Kenya’s main airport as workers protest against a planned takeover by an Indian company.
Large queues formed outside Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday morning as flights were delayed and cancelled.
Workers launched a “go-slow” – where staff deliberately work slowly to cause disruption – in a stand against proposals to lease JKIA to the Adani group for 30 years.
The aviation workers union argues the deal is “opaque” and could lead to job losses.
However, the government has defended the proposal, saying the airport is operating beyond capacity and needs private investment to upgrade it.
On Wednesday morning, dozens of airport workers blew plastic trumpets and chanted “Adani must go”, according to footage shown on local broadcaster Citizen TV.
The video also appear to show a police officer hitting a protester with a baton.
Wilma van Altena, who was on holiday in Kenya but cut her trip short to return to the Netherlands for a funeral, was among those stuck at the airport.
“It’s been chaotic… there were hundreds of people outside the airport when we arrived and we stood around and eventually made it inside,” she told the BBC.
“We have no information. There’s nothing on the boards, we’ve heard nothing from the airline. I need to get home but I have no idea when that will happen.”
The Zimbabwe men’s football team was also stranded.
The squad had flown into Nairobi after an African Cup of Nations qualifier game in Uganda, but had been given no information about their onward flight to Harare, an official who did not want to named told the BBC.
The BBC’s Stewart Maclean, who is among those waiting to catch a flight, said that at around 05:45 BST (07:45 local time), the hundreds queueing outside the airport were calm, patient but frustrated.
He said that cabin crew and pilots were among those waiting.
In a statement, the Kenya Airports Authority said: “As of 7:00am, minimal operations had resumed.”
“In the meantime, we are engaging relevant parties to normalise operations. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union previously warned of an indefinite strike after the government failed to disclose details of the deal with the Adani Group.
The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission also criticised the plans, arguing that it is unreasonable to lease a strategic national asset to a private company.
The two parties filed a challenge to the High Court, which subsequently halted the deal to allow time for a judicial review.
The date for a final court decision has yet to be set.
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David Turner is a globe-trotting journalist who brings a global perspective to our readers. With a commitment to shedding light on international events, he explores complex geopolitical issues, offering a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
