Passengers set to fly from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) are stranded following a strike by the Kenya Airports Aviation (KAA) workers over the planned handover of management to Kenya Airways.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has advised passengers set to fly from JKIA from 11 am not to go to the airport until further communication.

According to our source, a KAA staff who sought anonymity, all planes are grounded.

“No plane can take off or land at JKIA as fire engines on the airside have been withdrawn. Departure gates remain closed as well,” he said.

Reportedly, no plane has landed at the airport from 3 am on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union’s (KAWU), the workers are protesting the plan to hand over the management of the airport to the struggling KQ, saying corrupt cartels who are looting Kenya Airways dry are out to extend their insatiable greed to KAA.

KAWU also pokes holes in the salaries structure of KQ officials, revealing that CEO Sebastian Mikosz

and board chairman Michael Joseph are the highest paid in their respective positions in the country.

AVIATION UNION BOSS MOSS NDIEMA ARRESTED

Aviation workers union Secretary General Moss Ndiema has been arrested as anti-riot police lob teargas to disperse the striking employees.

KENYA AIRWAYS JKIA TAKE OVER

Kenya Airways plans to take over the management of operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from the KAA, allegedly as part of a restructuring aimed at aiding the airline’s recovery and boosting its dwindling revenues.