NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31— The government has apologised for the disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as an aviation workers’ strike entered its second day, saying urgent talks were underway to restore normal operations and resolve the dispute .

📻 Breaking It Down

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government recognised the severity of the disruption, which has affected passengers, airlines, businesses and Kenya’s international connectivity.

“The Government recognises the serious disruption currently affecting operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), and the significant impact this situation is having on passengers, airlines, businesses and Kenya’s international connectivity,” Mudavadi said in a statement Monday.

He said the government was engaging all parties involved in the dispute, with discussions continuing to find a resolution.

📌 What You Need to Know

“The Government is actively engaged with all the parties involved, and discussions are ongoing towards addressing the issues at hand,” he said.

The statement came as the industrial action by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) disrupted flights at JKIA, Kenya’s main international gateway, with airlines reporting delays, cancellations and changes to flight schedules.

The government said its immediate priority was to ensure the safe and orderly restoration of normal airport operations while pursuing a lasting settlement to the dispute.

“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to passengers whose journeys have been disrupted,” Mudavadi said, urging affected travellers to remain patient and liaise with their airlines for updates on flights and alternative travel arrangements.

The disruption has heightened concerns over the reliability of JKIA as a regional aviation hub, with industry groups warning that prolonged industrial action could have wider consequences for tourism, trade, investment and Kenya’s connectivity with the rest of Africa and the world.

Kenya’s aviation industry had earlier called for an urgent resolution of the strike, warning that repeated disruptions to air traffic services risk undermining confidence in the country’s aviation system.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya