NAIROBI, Aug 31 (Reuters) — Flight delays at Kenya's main international airport on Monday affected thousands of travellers as airport workers' go-slow strike action over unresolved grievances caused widespread disruptions across major hubs.

Hundreds of passengers spent the night stranded in airport lobbies at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi after aviation workers, under the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), initiated industrial action over the weekend. Ground staff, air traffic controllers, and airport support crew down tools at facilities operated by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and regional carriers.

The disruptions left travellers facing missed connections, extended delays, and cancelled travel plans, with several airlines moving to process hotel transfers for affected passengers as terminal lounges overflowed.

Demands for Better Welfare

According to union leaders, the industrial action follows the breakdown of negotiations regarding workplace welfare, improved working conditions, and the implementation of previously agreed employment benefits and collective bargaining frameworks.

KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema stated that union members would not resume normal duties across the affected entities until all grievances are formally addressed.

"We agreed on a framework for each employer to sit down and handle the grievances," Ndiema noted, adding that a failure by employers to adequately resolve key welfare issues forced the union to act.

Widespread Economic Impact

The stalemate has impacted not only international transit passengers but also domestic travel routes connecting Nairobi to major regional destinations, including Mombasa's Moi International Airport. Local tour operators and transport providers reported mounting financial losses as travel itineraries were ground to a halt.

Management at the Kenya Airports Authority called for urgent dialogue to resolve the dispute, warning of broader consequences for the aviation and tourism sectors if the strike persists. Government officials and transport ministry stakeholders are currently working to broker a resolution between union representatives and aviation management to restore full operational capacity.