Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has criticised the government’s handling of the aviation workers’ strike, saying the intervention that ended the industrial action should have been made earlier.
Nyakera was reacting to an announcement by Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir that the government had brokered an agreement between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet, bringing the strike to an immediate end.
“This should have been done last week, before Kenya’s aviation sector was turned into a global embarrassment,” Nyakera said.
He said he witnessed the frustration of stranded passengers and the anger of airlines that were forced to deal with the disruption despite having no part in the dispute.
“Many of us spent an entire day at the airport before having to fly to other visa free destinations just to wait out the strike,” he added.
While welcoming the end of the industrial action, Nyakera warned that restoring confidence in Kenya’s aviation sector would require more than an official statement.
“So yes, it is good that it is over, but restoring confidence will take more than a statement,” he said.
The government said the agreement provides for the immediate remittance of agency fees held by KAA to KAWU, while outstanding KCAA Collective Bargaining Agreement issues will be addressed with the involvement of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
The parties also agreed that no employee would be victimised or subjected to disciplinary action solely for participating in the industrial action, with affected workers directed to resume normal duties immediately.