The Government has successfully brokered an agreement between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet Limited, bringing to an end the ongoing go-slow and paving the way for the immediate restoration of normal operations across the aviation sector.
The agreement was reached after intensive consultations that brought together the key parties and institutions involved in the dispute.
Discussions were negotiated with the support of the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Dr Alfred Mutua. Other senior officials were the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir; Principal Secretary, State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime; the Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions–Kenya (COTU-K), Dr Francis Atwoli; the acting Director General of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority – KCAA, Nicholas Bodo, the Managing Director/CEO of Kenya Airports Authority, Eng Moses Wekesa, the Managing Director/CEO of Fly Jambojet, Karanja Ndegwa and the Secretary General, Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), and the leadership of KAWU.
Agreement that ended aviation workers strike
The parties agreed that Agency Fees held by the Kenya Airports Authority will be remitted to KAWU immediately. On the outstanding KCAA Collective Bargaining Agreement issues, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission has committed to engage the parties within the applicable legal and regulatory framework and with due regard to the respective State Corporations’ ability to pay.
The Recognition Agreement matter between KAWU and Jambojet await Courts direction. The parties respect the ongoing judicial process and remain guided by all applicable legal and procedural requirements relating to the matter.
“In view of the agreement reached, KAWU hereby calls off the industrial action with immediate effect and directs affected employees to resume normal duties,” the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development said in a statement on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
“All parties therefore commit to a swift restoration of normal aviation operations, maintaining industrial peace and resolving any outstanding and future grievances through dialogue, conciliation and established legal mechanisms,” it added.
The parties further agreed that no employee will be victimised or subjected to disciplinary action solely for participating in the industrial action. The Government calls on all parties to honour the Return-to-Work Agreement and uphold professionalism, industrial harmony and uninterrupted aviation services. The Return-to-Work Agreement takes effect immediately.
